Nutrition Label Reading Made Easy

Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:33 AM

Are Cheerios better to eat than shredded wheat? Is whole-wheat bread a wiser choice than rye or pumpernickel? How does orange juice stack up against pomegranate and V8? And if the choice at the vending machine is between pretzels, trail mix or a granola bar, which is the best buy?

If you're like most people trying to do the right thing nutritionally, you've likely pondered those kinds of vexing questions and many more. In today's Lean Plate Club column, learn how experts are trying to help provide more guidance with nutrient profiling--a series of mathematical equations that give scores to foods.

As many Lean Plate Club members already know, this kind of system is already in place at Hannaford grocery stores in New England. And the system is about to be expanded to Food Lion stores. Learn how the "guiding stars" program has been received by customers, who have now been able to shop by the using them for the last 16 months.

How about you: Would you like more information when you shop for groceries? Or less? Tell us now. Or join the Lean Plate Club Web chat from 1 to 2 p.m. ET today. E-mail me anytime at leanplateclub@washpost.com.

Food Convenience or Helping the Planet?

Nielson Global Food Packaging recently put this question to consumers worldwide. About half said that they'd be willing to trade all forms of convenience food packaging to help the planet stay healthier. On the other hand, consumers were not as likely to give up food packaging that they feel helps keep products clean or to forego nutrition labeling or cooking instruction information. So how about you? What, if any, tradeoffs are you willing to make? Tell us now. Or join the Lean Plate Club Web chat live from 1 to 2 p.m. ET. E-mail me anytime at leanplateclub@washpost.com.

Snack Food Find

In our vending machine at the Post, I found this healthy snack, which was surprisingly satisfying for just 130 calories--and low in sodium to boot: Mr. Nature, Unsalted Energizer Mix with just 5 milligrams of sodium.

What healthy snacks have your discovered? Tell us now. Or join the Lean Plate Club Web chat live from 1 to 2 p.m. today. E-mail me anytime at leanplateclub@washpost.com.

Joy of Motion

Shaking up your workout can be a good thing. So here are a few, "out of the gym," ideas to burn calories.

How about running on a treadmill under water? That's what the new Thermospa enables you to do. You can also use a rowing machine underwater with it. Warning: this one may hurt your wallet since it costs $17,000. But it's an interesting idea.

Secrets from the NFL Combine--where aspiring National Football League Players get looked over--is one of the activities that Men's Health has to offer.

Finally, there's dog sledding, which takes stamina and muscles to hold onto those rails-plus the dogs get a pretty good workout, too. And no, you don't have to go to Alaska to go dog sledding. Here are some places in Western Maryland as well as information in New England and internationally. Check out dog sledding 101 it features an interactive game to see if you have what it takes to go dog sledding in Alaska.

To help you make exercise a habit, the American Academy of Family Physicians offers these tips.

Still can't find time to get fit? Then take some inspiration from this blind high school wrestler, who has given his coach and teammates a new perspective on their sport.

Triumph at Carville

Speaking of inspiration, for the past two decades, I have been inspired by a group of people with a very feared disease: leprosy. Yes, this ancient scourge still exists. I'm part of a team that filmed a PBS television documentary, Triumph at Carville, about an unusual group of patients, U.S. Public Health Service doctors and Daughters of Charity. It's scheduled to run on PBS on Friday, March 28, at a local PBS affiliate near you. Check local listings for more details.

What's for Dinner Tonight?

Winter is made for soup. But if you think soup means having to spend hours over a simmering pot, think again. Here are 36 soups that you can make fast.

My food find this week: Trader Joe's Savory Soup Broth. It comes eight to a box. Each packet makes one cup of broth (vegetable, chicken or beef.) It's reduced in sodium, with 360 milligrams per cup--far less than what you find in most prepared soups.

Or you could make Chicken Stew from Saveur magazine, which also offers Venetian-Style Rice and Peas. It features carnaroli rice, which is often used in risottos. But you could also experiment with other types of white or--even better--brown rice.

Natural Health magazine has an unusual combination: Spicy Mole Oatmeal Chili, which has 243 calories per serving.

And for those who don't want to eat their dinner from a bowl, here are some other options:

* Greek Frittata and Salad comes from Woman's Day magazine. Though it is high in fat, it has only seven grams of saturated fat and 340 calories per serving.

* Cumin Roast Pork with Dried Fruit is another possibility.

Also, Good Housekeeping magazine offers Spanish Chicken and Rice, which serves eight and is triple tested at the GH Institute.

Butternut Squash and Sage Lasagna could be a new, lighter option for a familiar favorite. Plus, it provides at least a serving of veggies--not bad for 335 calories per serving. Add a salad and some crusty bread, and you've got a quite a wonderful meal.

Tell us what you're cooking this week. As always, please give recipe credit where recipe credit is due. Or join us live from 1 to 2 p.m. ET. E-mail me anytime at leanplateclub@washpost.com.

Thanks to the Sulgrave Club

I had a great tasting--and very healthy--lunch yesterday with members of the Sulgrave Club, who invited me to speak about the Lean Plate Club and healthy eating. If you'd ever like me to speak to your group, send me an e-mail at leanplateclub@washpost.com.