Nurse Supervisor Jobs >> Browse Articles >> Health + Wellness
The Dangers of Prepackaged Food in Nursing
Featured Author:
Scrubs Magazine
Scrubs Magazine is the lifestyle website for and about nurses. Here you’ll find weekly giveaways, “best of” lists, and both the lighter side and the serious side of nursing with cartoons, scrubs style DOs and DON’Ts, beauty, health and wellness. Scrubsmag.com also features revealing stories from nurse bloggers ranging from a newly minted nurse to a seasoned RN to a misunderstood male nurse. Follow us on Twitter and join our conversation on Facebook.
More articles from this author:
Marijke Durning | Scrubs Magazine
February 16, 2011
Changing to a healthier diet
Kim cut out a lot of prepackaged foods from her diet after she had her children, who are now seven and nine years old. She knew that the foods weren’t the healthiest choice even back then, but she still finds it hard to avoid them from time to time. She says that snack stuff and granola bars are the worst culprits for her. “There are nights where one gets a bit lazy and craves less healthy foods,” she says. She is also constantly surrounded by other nurses who are warming up their prepackaged dinners.
Beth tried to improve her eating habits by switching to steamable Lean Cuisine products that seem to be a healthier meal option. The healthier steamed option with 300 calories makes her feel as if she is making the right choice, given her options.
Telling the good from the bad
Despite the dire warnings, not all prepackaged foods are terrible, and sometimes life puts us in situations where we have to take advantage of their convenience. This is where we need to be vigilant and read labels. Reyna Franco, MS, RD, CDN, CPT, a nutrition and exercise consultant in New York City, says there are some acceptable prepackaged alternatives. “There are some prepackaged foods that are healthy and energizing, compared to the majority that contain trans fats, added sugar and sodium,” she says. Nurses need to become consistent and knowledgeable label readers. “I am a label reader,” Kim says. “I’m big on low fat, high fiber, low sodium and low sugar.”
Franco has some label-reading tips:
• Look for sodium content of less than 200 mg.
• Ensure there are no partially hydrogenated fats (these are the trans fats).
• Ensure the first two ingredients are not sugar, honey, molasses, fructose or any other form of sweetener.
Dr. Wald also points out that the frozen foods from the popular weight-loss programs often can be healthier than other prepackaged options. However, they shouldn’t be a mainstay of your diet.
How to eat a healthier diet
• Stay away from the vending machines! Unless you work in one of the more “enlightened” hospitals, vending machines almost always contain very processed and unhealthy foods.
• If you’re buying prepackaged foods, look for part skim milk cheese, nonfat or low-fat yogurt or applesauce.
• Bring food from home, such as sandwiches made on whole-wheat bread, vegetable sticks and nuts.
• Drink water.
Moderation
We don’t have to go through life denying ourselves little pleasures. Unless you have an illness that contraindicates eating any processed foods or foods high in sugar, for example, it’s probably okay to splurge and enjoy a forbidden treat every so often. The key is moderation. That’s all.
Any more tips for hungry but busy nurses?
Next: How to Become a Healthier Nurse >>
More on ScrubsMag.com:
• In Health: Are You a Vending Machine Sinner?• In Healthy Eating: Conquer the Vending Machine
• In Career: How Do I Deal With Night Shift Munchies?
tabbigirl87
about 2 years ago
64 comments
There's one, Kraft Deli something or other. It has turkey breast, whole grain crackers and cream cheese with veggie bits in it. Relatively healthy, provided that you eat just one and have water or plain tea with it. I have one of those for lunch along with plain tea and a piece of fruit. It's helped me shed 12 pounds so far. =D
It's all a matter of what you get, I buy frozen pre-packaged fruits, veggies and those Deli thingies. Everything else is fresh or raw. I understand being busy and then too exhausted to cook, which is why I opt for brown rice version of minute rice, whole grains and chicken breast that's already been chopped up for me. You can combine speedy eating with healthier choices.