OK... Maybe I have too much time on my hands, but, this really peeved me!!! So, I thought I would share my findings with all the Ladies!!!!

I, like others I'm sure, enjoy some nice warm oatmeal from breakfast in the winter! So, being the lazy and cheap person I am, I bought the Market Basket brand (a local supermarket known for their low prices) of Cinnamon and Apple instant (perfect for work)! Christmas has come and gone and I'm back on my diet FULL FORCE!!!! So, I pay more attention this time when shopping and actually read the boxes!!!

Here is my point!!!!

Quaker Weight Control! The first box I picked up because they hype it on The Biggest Loser! Biggest Loser, my butt! (no pun intended!) It has 135 calories a serving with 30 calories from fat and 240 mgs of sodium! I was amazed!!!

So, I picked up the Quaker Low Sugar... assorted fruits. It has 130 calories with only 25 from fat and 230 mgs of sodium! Lower! So, I bought it! Satisfied with my purchase!

Until I got to work and actually read the box of Market Basket cheapy instant!!!!

READY??? 130 calories WITH ONLY 15 FROM AT AND ONLY 170 MGS OF SODIUM!!!!! HELLO???? Is it me!

Now, Someone close to me said they were eating the Nutrition for Women Golden Brown Sugar Oatmeal!!!! Wonderful! 160 calories.... 25 from fat... and 330 mgs of sodium!!!!!!! WOW!!!! But.. you get your daily allowance of calcium and whatever!!! TAKE A PILL!!!!!

Thank you for listening. I hope I was of some help!

By Conni on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 09:59 am:

lol! It is interesting!

By Annie2 on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 10:26 am:

That is interesting. I also find buying yogurt very deceiving, too!

By Dawnk777 on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 10:29 am:

I know! Why is the sodium so high on that stuff? You are better off making your own, from scratch. The quick stuff doesn't really take that long. I made myself some the other day!

Oh yeah, and the salads at McDonald's, all have cheese and bacon in them. The salad dressings that go with, have oodles of sodium. For one, the Cobb dressing has 440 mg sodium. So, even if you try to eat healthy at Mcdonald's, you really aren't! Argh.

By Cat on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 10:48 am:

I think all the hype for the Quaker Weight Control is because of its high fiber and protein content. I have some and I actually add wheat germ to it. It actually fills me up and I don't get the munchies before lunch. It is hard though, knowing what you're getting. Good for you for comparing brands and reading lables.

By Heaventree on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 09:51 pm:

Buy the large flake oatmeal, everything else is processed and doesn't do your body that much good anyway and who needs the sodium and extra sugar. The large flake unprocessed oatmeal is good for you because it takes longer for your body to break it down. As soon as you refine or process it you lose those good qaulities.

Just plain old fashioned oatmeal takes minutes in the microwave. Jazz it up with some blueberries, dried cranberries, raisins, almonds, low-fat unsweetened yogurt, applesauce, I could go on and on.

Look for "old-fashioned" or "large flake" oatmeal. Anything that says quick oats or minute oats is processed.

By Mommmie on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 11:43 pm:

You want to laugh, next time you are going down the frozen food aisle, look at the sodium content of the frozen Boston Market turkey and gravy meal. I promise you, you have never seen a number that high!

By Karen~moderator on Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 08:29 am:

I read labels specifically for sodium, so I was not surprised. And as easy as instant, flavored oatmeal is, I agree with Cori, buy whole oats, such as Quaker Oats. You don't get the additives, and you DO get more food value. You can add whatever you want to it. I usually add some fresh or dried fruit, and a little sweetener. And the recipe for oatmeal raisin cookies on the lid is to die for!

By Ginny~moderator on Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 10:04 am:

There is a new labeling law, and within 2 years all labels have to use plain language for eight major food allergens (milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, wheat and soy). Companies will also be required to indicate any major food allergens used in spices, flavorings, additives and colorings, categories which had previously been exempt. The plain language rule means that if a product contains, for example, whey, the label has to say whey (milk product). The law took effect this month but companies have two years to change their labels, I believe.

I hate it that manufacturers add salt to so many foods, and in such quantities. I stopped adding salt to food and took the salt off the table when my middle son, at age 9, was at the top of the "normal" range for blood pressure. He salted everything - including sphagetti or chili. It made a huge difference at his next checkup. I don't miss the salt, and only use it on eggs, steak, and potatoes now. And I can really taste the salt in canned soups, frozen veggies, etc.

Some manufacturers even add salt and sugar to baby food. If I'd paid more attention to that when I was using baby food, I'd have used a food processor to make my own.

By Kym on Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 10:22 am:

Anything pre packaged is generally not "good for you" either high fat, sodium, trans fats, colories etc. Oatmeal is one of those things that going for the basics is just a tastey and doesn't take that long, 5 minutes start to finish. I have Oatmeal almost every morning, the slow cook kind, I add a tsp of butter and a packet of brown sugar splenda, Yummy and it keeps me going until AM snack