Make it a Super Healthy Super Bowl!

After a great workout last night, I decided to take a walk to the local grocery store to see what chips are available for the average person (not a health nut, not a complete junk food junkie) to snack on during Sunday’s Super Bowl. Some items disgusted me and others were a pleasant surprise. I specifically went to the grocery store and not the health food store in my neighborhood because I wanted to get a snapshot of what might be available in supermarkets around the country – the national brands.

The first item I picked up was “Natural” Tostitos/Yellow Corn (made with certified organic corn). The ingredients: Whole Organic Yellow Corn, Expeller-Pressed Sunflower Oil, and Sea Salt. No Preservatives. 9 oz. /$3.99 (most expensive per ounce)

Next item I found was Tostitos/Hint of Lime (made with whole grains). Ingredients: Whole White Corn, Vegetable Oil (Corn, Soybean, Canola and/or Sunflower Oil), Maltodextrin (Made From Corn),  Salt, Sugar, Natural Flavors (Including Natural Lime Flavor), Corn Sugar, Sour Cream (Cultured Cream, Nonfat Milk), Corn Bran, Whey,  Spice, and Yeast Extract. Contains Milk Ingredients. Made with All Natural Ingredients.  13 oz. $3.99

I then saw a package of Fritos with the following ingredients: Whole Corn, Corn Oil, And Salt. No Preservatives.  9 ¼ oz.  $2.99

DoritosAnd finally, Doritos. This image says it all: disgusting. How could a chip have a list of ingredients two inches long?  12 oz. $3.99

Interestingly, all four products are made by Frito-Lay.

I really was pleasantly surprised by the Fritos and “Natural” Tostitos. Of course, I can’t go as far as to say these two snacks are healthy; however, the minimal number of ingredients is a positive guide to follow when selecting food at the grocery store. I would lean toward the “Natural” Tostitos because of the organic corn as opposed to the Fritos that are more likely to be made from genetically-modified corn. The good news is you can enjoy yourself at a Super Bowl party and have snacks with your friends without completely blowing your intention to eat healthier this year (after all, it is only February).

You need to be careful when considering the Tostitos/Hint of Lime. If you are sensitive to monosodium glutamate (MSG), this is not a good product for you. Although the packaging says NO MSG, the last ingredient on the list – yeast extract – is known to contain MSG.

My final thought: Run, don’t walk, away from the Doritos. Many of the ingredients, including the soybean oil, are probably genetically-modified and there is added MSG, sugars and artificial colors.

What are you going to snack on while watching the big game? Who are you rooting for?

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