Try or Trash: Detox Diets

Should you do a detox diet to "cleanse" your body?

The answer is NO.  That's why we have our kidneys, liver, large intestine (colon), lungs and lymphatic system.  Our bodies do a great job on their own!  There is insufficient evidence to support needing to use detox diets to release toxins stored in the body.

Lizard Says:  Trash detox diets and eat a healthy diet filled with a variety of fruits, veggies and whole grains.

Low Fat vs. Regular Graham Crackers

"Low Fat" versions are always healthier, right?  Wrong!  You need to make sure you compare the nutrition labels.  Take a look at Honey Maid Low Fat vs. Regular Honey Graham Crackers below.  The Low Fat actually has more calories, sodium and carbohydrates than the regular version.

Keep in mind graham crackers aren't the healthiest snack as both versions have trans fat (partially hydrogenated oil in ingredient list) and are made with high fructose corn syrup.

Lizard says: While the regular version has some saturated fat, for an occasional treat I buy them.  They taste much better than the low fat version too!

Low Fat

Regular

Taste or Trash: Edy's Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt

A reader emailed that she loves Edy's Slow Churned Light Ice Cream and would never know it was lower in calories and fat compared to regular ice cream!

Nutrition facts for a typical 1/2 cup serving:

• Edy's Light Ice Cream: 120 calories and 3-6 grams of fat 
• Haagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry's average: 300 calories and 20 grams of fat

That's a HUGE difference!  I have also tasted Edy's Slow Churned Yogurt Blends, which is delicious as well and most flavors have about 100 calories and 0-3 grams of fat.

Lizard Says: Taste it, but don't overdo it!

Taste or Trash: Fast-Food Oatmeals

Oatmeal for breakfast! Many fast-food restaurants serve oatmeal which can be a great breakfast full of protein and fiber but watch the toppings which can make some close to 500 calories!

I did a taste test of 4 oatmeals which range from $2-$3.  

McDonalds Fruit and Maple Oatmeal:  Oatmeal toppings added behind the counter with fresh diced apples, cranberry/raisin mix and brown sugar (optional). It was too sweet for me but I really enjoyed the fresh apples. Next time I'll get it without the brown sugar.

Starbucks Perfect Oatmeal:  Oatmeal comes separate from toppings (dried fruit mix and brown sugar).  I liked that I was able to choose how much topping I wanted to add.  Also, they put calorie levels on the packages too. Overall, taste was good.

Jamba Juice Apple Cinnamon: Oatmeal is steel-cut made with soymilk ahead of time.  For the same or less calories, the portion of oatmeal was almost double all other places! They added brown sugar crunch and fresh baked apples with cinnamon. I loved the calorie levels posted on the menu board and it tasted very fresh! Hands down, this was my favorite (I even scraped the bowl clean!).  I will be returning!  

Caribou Coffee Apple Cinnamon:  Oatmeal is made with water and a little milk then toppings added behind the counter which were cinnamon syrup and fresh baked apples.   I had their oatmeal before and enjoyed it but this time it was sticky and had an artificial taste from the cinnamon syrup.  It was also 60 calories more than the other three so I'll head to Caribou for only their coffee next time.

Lizard says:  Taste Jamba Juice Oatmeal!  It is by far the best taste; it wasn't even close! Also, for 290 calories (same as McD and Starbucks and less than Caribou) it is a clear winner. The oatmeal tasted much better and the toppings were amazing!  

Taste or Trash: Wendy's Natural-Cut Fries

You have probably heard about Wendy's new Natural-Cut Fries with Sea Salt.  How are they different?

1. Potato skin is left on the fries (but you may have to look hard to find it)
2. Russet potatoes are used (instead of a variety of different potatoes)
3. Sea-salt is added instead of regular salt (both are loaded with sodium!)
4. Crispier (and thinner) fries

Many people who have tasted the new fries don't feel they taste any different!  

The Lowdown
"Natural" is NOT a certified claim, which means anyone can say anything is "natural".  These "Natural-Cut" fries are not healthier; they actually have more calories than the old ones and are still sent to Wendy's frozen!

Wendy's Chief Marketing Officer, Ken Calwell said, "We want every ingredient to be a simple ingredient to be one you can pronounce and one your grandmother would recognize in her pantry."

Wendy's posted their french fries ingredient list and it appears the natural fries have some ingredients that are hard to pronounce.  Do you know what sodium acid pyrophosphate or dimethylpolysiloxane is?  I know my grandma doesn't have these in her pantry!

Lizard says: Trash it!