Con-Agra, the food industry powerhouse with brands such as Chef Boyardee, Hunt’s, Hebrew National, Marie Callender’s, and Healthy Choice, announced this week a new public awareness campaign urging Americans to consume 100 calories less in a day. Using “proprietary research”, the Omaha, NE based company concluded that even such a small reduction in calories can have many health benefits and cost savings in medical bills. And of course the company used the announcement to plug its products:

Explains Barbara Ivens, ConAgra’s senior director, nutrition: “Making simple dietary improvements — such as substituting a Healthy Choice meal for a takeout lunch, Egg Beaters instead of eggs, and Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! as a whole grain, calorie-controlled, sodium-controlled snack — empowers people to make meaningful changes that can translate to healthier lives, less costly health care and increased productivity.”

What you need to know:

Cutting down just 100 calories a day will help people lose almost a pound of weight every month (3500 calories equal one pound of body weight). Problem for most Americans is that we consume much more than the allotted 2000-2500 calories per day.

How much more? Try over 1000 (one thousand!!) calories more per day than necessary.

Calories have lost some of their respect in the past years with carbs taking the spotlight. It seems they are now making a comeback as people realize that a calorie from any source is still a calorie. Many people have no idea what their caloric intake is or what it should be, and thus can’t even plan a diet correctly.

What to do at the supermarket:

Here is one very important tip: When selecting products, look at the calorie count AND the serving size to calculate how much you are going to be putting in your body.

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