Thursday, September 22, 2011

Before you reach for that bottle of ketchup...

If someone writes an article with the title "Six 'vegetables' that shouldn't be in your diet", you'll at least want to take a peek at it. I did.

The article by Shyla Batliwalla can be found in this link:

http://www.empowher.com/diet-amp-nutrition/content/six-vegetables-shouldnt-be-your-diet

Her piece raised a number of comments, several of which disputed her claims. So, do read the readers' comments as well.

Ms Batliwalla first noted that the word “vegetable” connotes a healthy option. She then asserts that many "seemingly harmless vegetable-labelled dishes are packed with sugar and calories". The six she named are:

1. Tomato ketchup, "packed with high fructose corn syrup and sugar. Next time you’re looking for something to dip into, opt for salsa, spices, or nothing".
2. Corn -- go easy on this, she said, as it actually a grain loaded with sugar that offsets its vitamins B and C content. "An average-sized ear can have up to 15 grams of sugar."
3. Vegetable Juice. She argues that in processed juiced fruits and veggies, "the majority of their nutrients and fiber are compromised. Veggie juice boasts a whopping two servings of veggies per serving; however, those veggies are smothered with sugar-enhanced fruit juices".
4. Veggie Chips:
They are not necessarily a good substitute for potato chips because "most veggie chips are deep-fried and primarily made with corn and potatoes".
5. Canned Vegetable Soup: Another one bites the dust? Yup, she claims. "Canned veggie soup seems like a healthy, low-cal meal option, right? Not always. They’re often laden with excessive amounts of sugar and sodium." Her advice (sensible, actually): Stick with the homemade variety.
6. Vegetable Tempura: This is one more "veggie" that gets thrown into the deep fryer. But people may think that "tempura is touted as a light batter". Wrong. Her parting shot is that it is "loaded with sugar, oil, and cornstarch, a sure-fire way to sabotage your diet".

So, go read it, and decide for yourself. Bon appetit.

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