Canned Soup--Soup-er Problem

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Most likely there's a shelf in your pantry that specifically houses all of your canned items.  Soup, vegetables, tuna, and anything else that's considered a staple canned item.  All of these things are great for a quick meal or a lazy, rainy day, but simple or not, they still can have some negative effects on your body.  As you'll find out, canned soup can become a soup-er problem.

It wasn't until recently that I started to look at the ingredients labels on canned soup.  I was absolutely appalled. So appalled that I decided that I will not eat most of the soups that are currently in my pantry.  The main issue that I now have with canned soups is the amount of sodium that is in them.  That baked potato with cheddar and bacon bits soup that you've been eyeing up for lunch has 790 mg of sodium...in one cup. Yes, it only has 190 calories, but if you're eating the whole can (which is two cups), you're taking in a whopping 1,580 mg of sodium along with 380 calories.  Who knew that much could be packaged into a small metal can?

Take the extra second to check the ingredients label before buying all of that canned soup.  That much sodium isn't good for your heart.  Choose wisely the next time you're looking for a quick meal.

Make sweet choices--in food and in life.

Trail Mix Not Trailing in Calories

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It takes the perfect combination of ingredients to make your mouth water. We all have our favorite kinds of trail mix.  Mine happens to be the one made with m&m's, cashews, and dried berries.  What we most likely aren't aware of is that this perfect combination comes with a price: calories.  The thing is, this is one food that I don't even think to look at the label before indulging.

The prepackaged trail mix we buy isn't just filled with the obvious ingredients (peanuts, dried fruit, candy, etc.), but it is also filled with sugar, salt, and preservatives.  That sweet but tangy flavor has to come from somewhere.  The combination of a large amount of sugar mixed with a large amount of salt is what has most of us coming back for more, without even being aware.

Most trail mixes have a shelf life of up to a year. Preservatives alert! There is only one way to avoid all of the extra ingredients in trail mix: make your own.  Next time you're in the grocery store, look at your favorite trail mix.  Find all of the ingredients sold separately, and mix them yourself! You're looking at a much healthier choice, and a simple alternative. Take initiative and save yourself the unnecessary extra calories.

Make sweet choices--in food and in life.