Many people buy sandwiches, snacks and beverages to conveniently put together a meal. However, depending on the menu, their intake of sugars, fat and sodium can increase significantly. Recently, UK media outlet Daily Express reported that UK dietitian Holly Cask revealed the menu items she does not usually buy at convenience stores.
▶Cream sauce pasta=The first is pasta with cream sauce. Cream sauce can be high in fat, and if the portion of pasta is large, the calories consumed in one meal can also increase significantly. In particular, if a product contains a higher proportion of noodles and sauce than vegetables or protein, it can be difficult to maintain a balanced diet.
▶Sausage roll=Sausage rolls and pastries are also foods she avoids. Sausages and pastry dough contain high amounts of fat and sodium, but they are relatively low in foods rich in dietary fiber, such as fruits and vegetables. Although they are convenient to eat, frequently consuming them as a meal can also undermine nutritional balance.
▶Potato chips=Potato chips are also high in sodium and calories. In particular, eating potato chips in addition to a main meal can increase the total calories and sodium consumed in one meal. Rather than potato chips, it is better to choose snacks such as fruit or nuts that provide additional nutrients.
▶Chocolate bars and candy=Chocolate bars and candy are high in sugars. In particular, routinely adding snacks high in sugars can unnecessarily increase the sugars and calories consumed throughout the day. Holly Cask said, “Rather than choosing chocolate or candy that simply adds sweetness, it is better to choose menu items that provide dietary fiber or protein.”
▶Sugary beverages=Chocolate milk and sugar-sweetened carbonated beverages should also be avoided. Consuming sugar in liquid form adds sugar and calories without providing as much satiety as food. It is better to choose water or a low-sugar beverage.
Meanwhile, Holly Cask advised that when choosing a menu, it is important to look beyond calories and check whether it contains sufficient protein, dietary fiber, fruits and vegetables. In particular, because it can be difficult for convenience foods to provide all the nutrients needed in one meal, it is better to choose products that contain both protein and vegetables rather than those high in processed meat or sauces.
▶Cream sauce pasta=The first is pasta with cream sauce. Cream sauce can be high in fat, and if the portion of pasta is large, the calories consumed in one meal can also increase significantly. In particular, if a product contains a higher proportion of noodles and sauce than vegetables or protein, it can be difficult to maintain a balanced diet.
▶Sausage roll=Sausage rolls and pastries are also foods she avoids. Sausages and pastry dough contain high amounts of fat and sodium, but they are relatively low in foods rich in dietary fiber, such as fruits and vegetables. Although they are convenient to eat, frequently consuming them as a meal can also undermine nutritional balance.
▶Potato chips=Potato chips are also high in sodium and calories. In particular, eating potato chips in addition to a main meal can increase the total calories and sodium consumed in one meal. Rather than potato chips, it is better to choose snacks such as fruit or nuts that provide additional nutrients.
▶Chocolate bars and candy=Chocolate bars and candy are high in sugars. In particular, routinely adding snacks high in sugars can unnecessarily increase the sugars and calories consumed throughout the day. Holly Cask said, “Rather than choosing chocolate or candy that simply adds sweetness, it is better to choose menu items that provide dietary fiber or protein.”
▶Sugary beverages=Chocolate milk and sugar-sweetened carbonated beverages should also be avoided. Consuming sugar in liquid form adds sugar and calories without providing as much satiety as food. It is better to choose water or a low-sugar beverage.
Meanwhile, Holly Cask advised that when choosing a menu, it is important to look beyond calories and check whether it contains sufficient protein, dietary fiber, fruits and vegetables. In particular, because it can be difficult for convenience foods to provide all the nutrients needed in one meal, it is better to choose products that contain both protein and vegetables rather than those high in processed meat or sauces.