| The short answer is probably not. | | | | weight. |
| This comes from an article written by Amanda | | | | Calorie counts are especially likely to be suspect. |
| Gardner for Yahoo News" Health Day. | | | | Preparing your own food is really the only way you |
| The FDA demands that manufacturers post the | | | | can really know what's in it. |
| facts on food labels, but there are a few problems. | | | | There are lots of ways to do it so does not take a |
| One is there is not much policing from the | | | | lot of time and trouble |
| government | | | | And leaving out a lot of salt, sugar and fat will make |
| Plus manufacturers don't always stay consistent with | | | | your weight loss initiative much more likely to |
| recipes. | | | | succeed. |
| The quality and flavor of specific batches may vary. | | | | Obesity is epidemic in the US and diabetes is the right |
| Calories may vary because of preservatives like salt, | | | | there waiting to pounce on the overweight people of |
| fat and sugar added to extend shelf life. | | | | the nation. High blood pressure is another problem, |
| Even with fresh foods the quality and flavor varies | | | | especially for pregnant women and obese men and |
| widely. | | | | women. |
| The FDA feels they have to pick their battles and | | | | Considering what the benefits could be, it's certainly |
| they concentrate on things that have more to do | | | | worth a small amount of effort in the kitchen. |
| with food safety and let labeling slip. | | | | One of the best ways to lose weight is to eat lots |
| And people who make and grow foods that come | | | | of raw salads with maybe a bit of baked chicken. |
| from other countries are never held to the same | | | | Plan to get by with less salad dressing. But it doesn't |
| standard either. | | | | really take much to flavor things nicely. |
| It's convenient to just go to the store and buy | | | | The only thing you have to cook is the chicken and it |
| whatever you want to eat already prepared. | | | | can be cooking while you read e- mail. |
| And it's even better to pick up some fast food or go | | | | Best of all, fruits and vegetables that are uncooked |
| to a restaurant. But few of these places actually | | | | have more nutrients. |
| have menus that will be really healthy. | | | | If you lose weight and get healthier it could have a |
| For one thing the portions are too large. And they | | | | lot of benefits for you financially, too. |
| rarely choose healthy over taste since they want | | | | People who maintain a healthy weight, are not |
| customers coming back for more of that really good | | | | diabetic, and do not have high blood pressure pay |
| bad stuff. People are so happy to eat those full | | | | less for medical care, prescriptions, doctor visits, |
| flavored fats, sugars and salt they WILL come back | | | | medical insurance, and life insurance. |
| for more. | | | | But the best bonus is you could feel better and be |
| The problem is it might not be the best choice for | | | | more active. |
| you if you have health issues or are watching your | | | | |