Paper or plastic?

You make choices every day - - cash or charge, coffee or tea, ABC or NBC - - and most of these choices are easy. That is, you know what's best for you. (Tea, definitely tea.) But go out to eat or take a stroll down any aisle in the grocery store, and suddenly simple choices disappear. Is a reduced-fat food truly a better option than its full-fat counterpart? Are vegetarian products more healthful than non-vegetarian versions? Having so many seemingly healthy choices makes it difficult to know for sure which foods are best for you.

Since I’m unable to join you when you head to the grocery store or to a restaurant, I've put together a list of popular food items, followed by its healthy counterpart. It’s real easy to see why one is better than the other when you compare them side-by-side.

BURRITO
Eat this: Amy’s Black Bean Vegetable Burrito
Per Burrito: 280 calories, 8 g fat (1 g saturated), 580 mg sodium, 44 g carbohydrates, 4 g fiber, 9 g protein

NOT that: Taco Bell Bean Burrito
Per Burrito: 340 calories, 9 g fat, (3.5 g saturated), 1,190 mg sodium, 54 g carbohydrates, 8 g fiber, 13 g protein

CHINESE
Eat this: Chicken & Broccoli
Per 10 oz serving: 310 calories, 12 g fat (2.5 g saturated), 2,230 mg sodium, 13 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 35 g protein

NOT that: General Tso’s Chicken
Per 10 oz serving: 560 calories, 32 g fat, (3 g saturated), 1,650 mg sodium, 43 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber, 21 g protein

NOTE: Be stingy with the soy sauce, however, on the Chicken & Broccoli - - it already packs enough sodium for an entire day.

HOT DOG
Eat this: Applegate Farms Organic Turkey Hot Dogs
Per Dog: 80 calories, 6 g fat, (2 g saturated), 350 mg sodium, 0 carbohydrates, 0 g fiber, 6 g protein

NOT that: Ball Park Beef Frank
Per Dog: 180 calories, 16 g fat (6 g saturated), 560 mg sodium, 3 g carbohydrates, 0 g fiber, 6 g protein

PIZZA
Eat this: Pizza Hut Medium Thin N Crispy 12-inch pizza with sauce, cheese, Grilled Chicken, Green Pepper, Mushroom, Red Onion & Tomatoes
Per slice: 180 calories, 6 g fat (3 g saturated), 540 mg sodium, 22 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber, 10 g protein

NOT that: Pizza Hut Medium Pan Supreme
Per Slice: 310 calories, 16 g fat (6 g saturated), 720 mg sodium, 28 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 13 g protein

BURGER
Eat this: 1 fresh all-white meat turkey burger
Per burger (uncooked): 130 calories, 5 g fat (0 g saturated), 55 mg sodium, 0 g carbohydrates, 0 g fiber, 28 g protein

NOT that: 1 frozen Bubba burger
Per burger (uncooked): 420 calories, 36 g fat (21 g saturated), 85 mg sodium, 0 g carbohydrates, 0 g fiber, 23 g protein

CHICKEN WINGS
Eat this: Morningstar Farms Buffalo Wings
Per 5 wings: 200 calories, 9 g fat (1 g saturated), 790 mg sodium, 19 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 11 g protein

NOT that: Chili’s Grill Wings Over Buffalo with Dressing
Per 5 wings: 670 calories, 59 g fat (13 g saturated), 1,445 mg sodium, 2 g carbohydrates, 0 g fiber, 34 g protein

Just remember that even when you've filled your cart with the best choices possible, you'll still be faced with one final question: Paper or plastic?

If you have any questions or concerns about something you eat on a regular basis, please email me. I’m happy to work with you to find healthier alternatives.

Happy Eating!

~ Live Well ~
Trinity Fitness
“Harmonizing your mind, body & soul for total Trinity Fitness”