In today's busy world many people prefer the ease of supposedly healthy meals from companies that sell weight loss products, that can be frozen and microwaved for convenience. For the most part, people aren't really eating them because they're delicious - it's all about the numbers. Lower fat, lower calories, it all sounds good. But is it true?
The Today Show did a study on these numbers on some of the most popular frozen diet foods. The foods were sent to EMSL, a top food laboratory, to check if the numbers really match labels. Some meals actually contained less calories and fat than claimed on the package, but the news is not as good for others.
- Lean Cuisine(TM) - Lean Cuisine's Grilled Chicken Primavera actually had 19% fewer calories than the label claimed and the Rosemary Chicken had 60% less fat! However, even though the Grilled Chicken Primavera can boast fewer calories, it contains 20% more fat than is stated on the label.
- Healthy Choice(TM) - Healthy Choice's Roasted Beef Merlot actually had 17% less fat than the label claimed, but not everything that glitters is gold. Their Lobster Cheese Ravioli has 17% more fat than it claims to.
- Weight Watchers Smart Ones(TM) - Smart Ones Shrimp Marinara had 10% more calories than were represented on the label, and they also make the meal with the most startlingly false claims of all. Their Sweet and Sour Chicken claims only 210 calories and 2g of fat. In reality, it has 11% more calories and 350% more fat! (This company was forced to do an internal audit.)
So how does this happen? It turns out the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows food regulations to be as much as 20% off on their labels. The FDA declines interviews so we have no way of knowing directly from them. Food companies claim that every meal will vary in nutritional content and that not revealing the full details of the problematic nature of being 100% exact with every meal "is a matter of being practical."
Scientists say these discrepancies could cause you to gain weight over time. The frozen food aisle is simply not the place to build your food plan. The solution? Buy fresh food and cook and package it yourself. This way, you have complete control of your diet and know that you're on track with your goals. Not to mention, you'll avoid the preservatives and additives found in many frozen foods. The natural way is the best way!
