Use News to Lose

The News

Before you bite into that juicy burger topped with blue cheese, thick bacon and fried onions, consider this: One in five restaurant calorie listings are incorrect and have at least 100 more calories, according to researchers at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. They studied menus from 42 chains.

Use it to lose

• Keep your reality radar on high alert when dining out. If a mega bowl of cheesy pasta with meatballs is listed at less than 300 calories, assume the calorie count is off.
• Go online for nutritional data from your favorite chains, so you can plan wisely before you head out.
• Look for ways to take the reins at restaurants by requesting dressing, sauce and cheese on the side.
• It’s never just about the calories. A slice of pizza may have the same calories as a large salad with grilled chicken and nuts, but the latter will fill you up and pack more nutrients.

Thumbs Up/Down

Denmark’s fat tax. The Danes now set fines on foods with more than 2.3 percent saturated fat. It’s the first such fee imposed on unhealthy food. Props to them for trying to prevent an obesity problem before it starts.

Coconut water claims. If you drink coconut water to replenish after a workout, know this: The amount of electrolytes the waters claim to contain may be exaggerated. consumerLab found only one (Zico) lived up to the hype. A better option: plain old water, the best thirst quencher around.

Say what?

“CHIPTEASE”

You buy a bag of chips expecting it to be full, but tear it open to find it’s mainly air.

CHIPS, PLEASE!

Buy single-serve bags of chips to keep a handle on portion control, or divvy up a large bag.