One thing I learned a long time ago is to read the labels on *everything*, even "healthy" prepared food. Back when I was in my early 20's and working out all the time the gym I was at was giving away samples of "healthy" low-fat soup. One serving had 150% of the RDA for sodium. A rule of thumb I've found is that there are three "bad" things in all prepared foods; sugar, fat, and sodium. When a company makes a "healthy" version of their food they will lower one and raise one or both of the other two to compensate. No kidding, compare a "low sodium" version of say, a can of soup with the same company's regular version of the same soup. It will have more fat or carbs (or both).WearyOne wrote: Sometimes a person does have to eliminate or drastically reduce certain foods, depending on health issues. I have HBP, so I need to restrict sodium big time. I wish WW paid more attention to sodium content. Diabetes runs in my family, and my cholesterol and triglycerides are high, so I need to cut back simple carbs and saturated fats. One item I wish to completely eliminate are sodas.
Same thing for "gimmicks" (as I call them) like "slim fast". Take a can of slim fast and a can of Pepsi. Compare the nutrition labels. Same amount of sugar. Drink a pepsi, pop a multi-vitamin, same nutrition content (not that I would ever suggest this, it's just an example).
A trick my doctor taught me when my wife had gestational diabetes was to only shop around the perimeter of a store. That's where the fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, etc is. Once you go down an isle you are in "forbidden territory". Of course the stores have caught on and are putting junk food there now too.
