Ready-to-cook (RTC) international cuisine options like pizza, pasta, and momos provide diverse flavors and convenient meal solutions. However, these dishes can vary significantly in their nutritional content, especially concerning calories, fats, sodium, and additives.
1. Ingredients: Choose products with whole food ingredients, look for whole grains and real cheese.
2. Sodium: International cuisine can be high in sodium. Look for meals with less than 600 mg of sodium per serving to help manage blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
3. Calorie content: Choose options that align with your dietary calorie needs, generally aiming for 300-500 calories per serving depending on your total daily calorie intake.
4. Total Fat: Aim for meals that contain no more than 20 grams of total fat per serving.
5. Saturated Fat: Keep saturated fat to less than 5 grams per serving to help maintain heart health.
6. Trans Fat: Always choose products that list 0 grams of trans fat, as trans fats are particularly harmful to cardiovascular health.
7. Additives: Opt for meals that are free from artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The fewer the additives, the healthier the meal.
Select RTC international cuisine options that use whole ingredients and contain less than 600 mg of sodium and no more than 20 grams of total fat per serving. Prioritize meals with minimal saturated fats and zero trans fats. Look for products free from artificial additives and consider nutritional balance, including the presence of protein and fiber.