Victoria talks about healthy food decisions available in the cafeteria.
By: Victoria Barmak
-Staff Writer-
So here you are: you have read my previous columns, done some research of your own and you are firm in your decision to make wiser food choices.
Next time you are in the cafeteria, you will not go for that chocolate chip cookie that is calling your name. You now know better. You will instead go for the yogurt parfait. After all, now that you are equipped with knowledge, you know that yogurt is a smart food choice.
Not. So. Fast.
First, let me give you a very quick lesson in basic nutrition. According to the American Heart Association, daily consumption of sugar per day is six teaspoons for women and nine for men. That includes everything from table sugar to pizza to sausage to Vitamin Water.
So what is wrong with that yogurt parfait, you might ask?
One serving packs almost twice the daily sugar recommendation. The yogurt parfait served in our cafeteria, courtesy of Treat America, contains 70 grams of sugar, which equals 11 teaspoons. The double chocolate chip cookie on the other hand has 20 grams of sugar by contrast.
The difference seems pretty significant. Mind you, I am not advocating for cookies as your go-to snack. All I am saying is looks can be deceiving. Read the labels, do the math and realize that just because it sounds healthy, it does not mean it is.
