Diet Foods and Nutrition

Why You Shouldn’t Be a Diet-Food Junkie

Eating “light” and “diet” foods all day, every day, could make you fall short on nutrition and pack on pounds
By Greg Presto fitbie
 

For Lunch or Dinner: Can of Soup

The Culprit: Progresso 99% Fat Free Chicken Noodle Soup

The Problem: Salt! In just 180 calories (not many for a meal), this can provides 670 mg of sodium. That's more than a quarter of your day's allotment—almost half if you're at risk for heart disease or stroke. "Here's the thing: That's not so bad if you're not eating other heavily-salted foods throughout the day," says Berkowitz. "But if you eat a can of a soup with something like a Lean Cuisine [the Chicken Mediterranean has 590 mg], there's trouble."

The Solution: If you're supplementing the soup—and you should—choose a low-sodium add-on, like fruit, some vegetables, a lightly-dressed salad, or a glass of milk. You can also cut the salt you consume from the soup, Berkowitz says. "If you add some water, you'll increase the volume of the soup. Eat what's inside, and leave some of the broth—salt with it—behind."

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