Dear AAI: I have heard some rumors of Taco Bell being “really healthy” now. Is there any truth to these rumors?
Dear Reader: The reason Taco Bell has been rumored to now be “really healthy” is because of their new “Fresco” menu. A spokes woman promoted the “Drive Thru Diet” saying she lost 54 pounds after two years of eating the “Fresco” options. The “Fresco” items are simply regular Taco Bell items, with no cheese, but add salsa. Even though deleting cheese might seem like a dramatic decrease in calories; it is not. A “Fresco” steak burrito has 330 calories, while a regular streak Burrito Supreme has 380 calories; only a difference of 50 calories. While the “Fresco” line is a better idea than normal Taco Bell items, it is not a good idea to just go pig out at Taco Bell; “Fresco” or not.
Dear AAI: I love having sake when going out for sushi, but how many calories does it have, and is it the same as wine?
Dear Reader: Sake has about 40 calories per ounce, while the average wine has about 25 per ounce. Sake is usually served warm, and therefore we sip it, which usually translates to fewer calories consumed. Usually sake is served in 2 oz glasses (at most sushi restaurants) so you will not be adding too many extra calories to your meal. Just pay attention when the glass is bigger than average.
Dear AAI: I also love sushi and was just wondering about some of the terminology used in sushi bars, and which rolls offer the fewest calories?
Dear Reader: Sushi is a great meal anytime of the day, and it is often ordered by the piece so it is easy to over-order, but this also allows you to pick and choose exactly what you want. To save calories when ordering sushi make sure to ask for “light rice.” Some terminology used in sushi bars are “tempura” which means batter fried; “spider” which is usually greasy fried crab rolls; “dynamite” which means baked in mayo; and “crunch” which is just another way of saying fried. When going out to sushi bars the three best rolls to order, when trying to save calories and fat, are the cucumber roll (130 calories/no fat per roll), spicy tuna roll (250-290 calories/5-10g of fat per roll), and the California roll without mayo (275-300 calories/5-10g fat per roll).
Dear AAI: I am a college student who recently went vegetarian, are there any quick-filling, meat free, healthy snacks out there?
Dear Reader: Being also a college student, and vegetarian, I often have this problem too! The options might seem slim, but that’s not the truth! There are many options out there containing no meat. Some I recommend are: apples, VitaTops, string cheese, almonds (or any nuts), LARABARS (or any natural bars), instant oatmeal, and meatless jerky (if you are into fake meat). It might seem tough, but all you have to do is think outside of the box and create!
Dear AAI: I have been hearing this craze of a smoothie called a “Green Monster”, what is it and is it healthy?
Dear Reader: I’m glad you asked! Green Monsters are very yummy, even though they look odd (being green), but they offer a lot of nutrition in one glass. A Green Monster is made with spinach, milk (rice, cow, almond, soy) and a banana. Other ingredients can go in there as well, but that is typical. A Green Monster offers you vitamins A, C, K, folate, minerals including magnesium and calcium, fiber, and beta-carotene from the spinach; calcium, vitamins A and B12, riboflavin, phosphorus, and potassium from the milk; and potassium, fiber, natural sugar, and vitamins C and B6 from the banana. The Green Monster might look a little strange, but I promise you don’t taste the spinach at all and is a good addition to a healthy diet.
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