**Santa Fe Snacks: Altitude Lies About Bagged Greens?**
By Franklin Everett ShawForget those perfectly portioned salads you buy at the grocery store. They’re lying to you, especially if you’re enjoying them in the high desert air of New Mexico.
The serving sizes on those bags of Santa Fe Snacks’ bagged greens, a favorite among the gluten-free crowd in Albuquerque and Taos, are often inaccurate due to altitude. This isn’t just a minor inconvenience; it’s a matter of wasted food and potentially skewed nutritional intake.
Here’s why, and how you can fix it.
The problem stems from the way bagged greens are packaged and how altitude affects that packaging. At sea level, the weight of the air is greater. As you ascend, air pressure decreases. This means that a bag of greens sealed at sea level will inflate in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, or Taos.
This inflation creates a visual illusion. The bag looks fuller, leading you to believe you’re getting more greens than you actually are. You might grab a handful, thinking it’s a single serving, when in reality, it’s significantly less.
Nutrition labels are regulated by the FDA, but these regulations don’t explicitly account for altitude-related volume changes in packaged foods. The net weight listed on the bag is accurate at the time of packaging, but the perceived volume changes with elevation.
This discrepancy is particularly problematic for those carefully tracking their macros or adhering to specific dietary guidelines. If you’re relying on the nutrition label to accurately measure your intake, you could be underestimating your consumption of greens, and potentially missing out on vital nutrients.
So, what’s a health-conscious New Mexican to do?
The solution is simple: weigh your greens.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to accurately measuring your Santa Fe Snacks greens at altitude:
Acquire a kitchen scale: A digital kitchen scale that measures in ounces is ideal. You can find these at most grocery stores or online retailers. Look for one with a “tare” function.
Find the serving size: Check the nutrition label on your bag of Santa Fe Snacks greens. It will list the serving size in ounces (e.g., “3 oz”).
Tare your scale: Place an empty bowl or container on the scale. Press the “tare” button. This will zero out the scale, so you’re only measuring the weight of the greens.
Add greens to the bowl: Gradually add greens to the bowl until the scale reads the desired serving size in ounces.
Consume and adjust: Now you know what a true serving size looks like at your altitude. Adjust your portion sizes accordingly.
Let’s consider a practical example. You’re in Albuquerque (elevation approximately 5,312 feet) and the bag of Santa Fe Snacks’ Spring Mix says a serving is 3 ounces. You grab what looks like a generous handful. But when you weigh it, it only comes out to 2 ounces. You’ve been underestimating your serving size by 33%!
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Relying on visual estimation: As we’ve established, this is unreliable at higher altitudes.
- Using volume measurements (cups): Volume measurements are even less accurate than visual estimation, especially with leafy greens that can compress differently.
- Ignoring the tare function: Failing to tare your scale will result in an inaccurate measurement.
- Assuming all bags are the same: Even within the same brand, different types of greens may have different densities. Always weigh each bag individually.
This method isn’t just about accurate portioning; it’s about reducing food waste. By understanding the true serving size, you’re less likely to throw away greens that you think you’ve already consumed.
Furthermore, consider the economic impact. If everyone in Albuquerque, Taos, and Santa Fe is consistently underestimating their serving sizes, they’re likely buying more bags of greens than they actually need. Accurately measuring your portions can save you money in the long run.
This issue extends beyond Santa Fe Snacks. Any bagged food product that relies on volume for serving size estimation is susceptible to altitude-related inaccuracies. This includes chips, cereals, and even some types of pasta.
While the FDA regulations may not explicitly address altitude, consumers can take proactive steps to ensure they’re getting what they pay for and accurately tracking their nutritional intake. Weighing your food is a simple, yet effective, solution.
Don’t let inflated bags fool you. Take control of your portion sizes and minimize food waste by weighing your Santa Fe Snacks greens. Your wallet and your waistline will thank you.
This isn’t just about eating healthy; it’s about being an informed consumer in the unique environment of New Mexico.