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Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Unhealthiest Canned Pastas You Should Avoid At All Costs
Let's get this out of the way -- canned pasta is probably never going to be as healthy (or as tasty) as your mom's homemade spaghetti. Still, because of its undeniably convenient qualities, most of us have probably picked up a can or two of processed pasta without thinking too much about it. Though it's totally fine to chow down on a bowl or two of canned pasta every now and again, doing so too often could mean trouble for your health. As you may already know, most Americans eat too much salt, and the regular consumption of processed food options such as canned pasta only makes matters worse. But it isn't just the sodium that poses a threat to your health. Other components, including added sugar and various additives, often make an appearance in canned pasta, making this easy-to-grab meal one of the canned food options you should absolutely avoid at all costs. Worried? Don't be. We rounded up some of the unhealthiest canned pasta options on store shelves in an effort to help you navigate the tricky waters of canned, heavily processed food. We're breaking down the ingredients and highlighting some of the most concerning nutrition facts per can so you can make the best decisions possible for your health and wellness. Join us as we unveil the unhealthiest canned pastas on store shelves. Read more: The 14 Most Unhealthy Canned Soups You Can Buy At The Store The American Heart Association recommends that most people consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, with the preferred daily limit being no more than 1,500 milligrams. It should come as no surprise, then, that Great Value Pasta Rings & Meatballs in Tomato Sauce isn't going to do you any favors in achieving this goal. At a whopping 1,050 milligrams per can, consuming this canned pasta could have you inching closer to your daily sodium limit in just a bowl or two. At the time of writing, Great Value Pasta Rings & Meatballs in Tomato Sauce costs less than $1 per 15-ounce can, which, like many of the options on this list, is quite the bargain. Regardless, this pick is not only loaded with sodium but features other concerning nutritional aspects of note, including high sugar content. Yes, believe it or not, Great Value Pasta Rings & Meatballs in Tomato Sauce contains added sugar -- and lots of it, at 10 grams per can. For reference, that's roughly the same amount of sugar you'd consume in a Dum-Dums lollipop. There's even high fructose corn syrup in the mix, which is a controversial sweetener that's been linked to an increased risk of obesity and health issues such as fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes when consumed in excess. Another Walmart contender sporting less-than-stellar nutritional stats, the Great Value Macaroni in Tomato & Beef Sauce features tubular noodles drenched in a beefy, tomatoey, and very salty sauce. This 15-ounce can of pasta includes 1,230 milligrams of sodium per can, which is more than half of the maximum amount we're recommended to consume in an entire day. Though Great Value Macaroni in Tomato & Beef Sauce doesn't quite feature as much added sugar as Great Value Pasta Rings & Meatballs in Tomato Sauce at 5 grams per can, it does still contain high fructose corn syrup, which can spell trouble for your health when consumed too often. Other additives, such as potassium chloride and modified food starch, also make their appearance in this Walmart-branded macaroni and beef option. In case you decide to bite the bullet and purchase this unhealthy canned pasta for taste alone, think again. Customers state this is a poor excuse for macaroni and beef, citing minimal meat and too much tomato sauce as just a few of the reasons why Great Value Pasta Rings & Meatballs in Tomato Sauce may not even be worth its low price tag. A can of Chef Boyardee pasta likely conjures up cozy childhood memories of simpler times (and yes, Chef Boyardee is a real chef who is even thought to have cooked for an American president), but throwing it into your cart for old times' sake might prove a mistake. Granted, making your own version of ravioli isn't quite as simple as opening a can and dumping it into a bowl, but given the contents of this product, finding a worthy homemade ravioli recipe might just prove a better option. Interestingly, Chef Boyardee Overstuffed Beef Ravioli prides itself in containing no artificial flavors and colors, or preservatives, but don't let the claims fool you -- this isn't a healthy canned pasta grab. Expect a number of additives, including soybean oil, caramel color, and high fructose corn syrup. You can also find a helping of about 320 calories, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 52 grams of carbohydrates, and 3 grams of added sugar in each can, alongside a whopping 1,350 milligrams of sodium. While a serving of Chef Boyardee Overstuffed Beef Ravioli will undoubtedly satisfy your appetite, this canned pasta is an additive-filled and extremely salty option you may wish to limit to only once or twice -- or never -- per week. Considering the fact that it doesn't contain meat, we thought that the Great Value Spaghetti Rings in Tomato Sauce may have drastically less sodium per can than Great Value Pasta Rings & Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, but alas, we were wrong. Sure, the 970 milligrams of sodium found in this canned pasta is indeed less than its meaty counterpart, but not by much. The amount of sodium contained in Great Value Spaghetti Rings in Tomato Sauce still consumes a hefty chunk of your daily recommended intake. As for added sugar in Great Value Spaghetti Rings in Tomato Sauce, prepare to be floored. There's a whopping 18 grams of added sugar per can, which is more than you'll find in a McDonald's Baked Apple Pie. While these sorts of canned pasta products are often marketed towards children, we'd say it's best to steer clear -- especially on a regular basis -- given their ghastly sodium and sugar amounts. While it's not often you find spaghetti and meatballs already cooked and canned with minimal effort required, let's just say that Chef Boyardee Spaghetti & Meatballs isn't exactly mom's home cooking. Yes, customers generally enjoy this nostalgic canned meal, but as far as ingredients and general nutrition go, Chef Boyardee Spaghetti & Meatballs isn't exactly a stellar canned pasta product. Like many other pasta products on this list, this can of spaghetti and meatballs is very high in sodium. Expect as much as 1,240 milligrams per 14.5-ounce can, which is over half of your daily recommended intake. Each can also contains 410 calories, 6 grams of saturated fat, 49 grams of carbohydrates, and 8 grams of added sugar. Besides excessive sodium, you'll also encounter ingredients you won't typically find in your typical pot of homemade spaghetti. Additions such as soy protein concentrate, soybean oil, and high fructose corn syrup all make a cameo in this canned pasta. Oh, and did we mention that the meatballs are partially made with mechanically separated chicken? This means the chicken used in the pasta was crammed into a sieve under high pressure to remove the bones from the meat and yield a smooth batter-like meat paste that acts as a key ingredient in the delicious Chef Boyardee meatballs. We're not sure we've ever had the pleasure of spotting canned macaroni and cheese on store shelves, making this Chef Boyardee Mac & Cheese option a unique pick. It's certainly convenient -- and maybe even tasty, according to a few consumer reports -- but this canned macaroni and cheese isn't exactly made up of the ingredients you'd expect. Here you'll find cheese flavor instead of real cheese, margarine instead of butter, and mono- and diglycerides. The latter are emulsifiers that can contain traces of trans fats, which, when consumed in high amounts, can lead to undesirable health outcomes. Lastly, Chef Boyardee Mac & Cheese contains an appalling 1,590 milligrams of sodium per 15-ounce can and 5 grams of saturated fat. On a positive note, there are at least no added sugars or high fructose corn syrup in the mix, which is a breath of fresh air compared to many of the canned pasta options on this list. Still, it's worth thinking twice before consuming Chef Boyardee Mac & Cheese, especially if you're looking to limit your saturated fat and sodium intake. SpaghettiOs Meatballs are certainly a fan favorite. Despite the big SpaghettiOs recall that pulled 15 million pounds of pasta from store shelves in 2010, this is still one brand that most people cherish with a child-like fondness. Despite its nostalgic appeal and slightly higher price point, SpaghettiOs Meatballs aren't much better for you than any other canned pasta product on this list. Each 15.6-ounce can of SpaghettiOs Meatballs contains 380 calories, along with 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 53 grams of carbohydrates, and 9 grams of added sugar. And though SpaghettiOs Meatballs supposedly contain 20% of your daily vegetables per 1 cup, it doesn't negate the fact that it also contains 1,000 milligrams of sodium per can, which is nearly half of your recommended daily intake. Additives such as dextrose, high fructose corn syrup, and soy protein concentrate are also listed as some of its ingredients, making it an unwholesome canned pasta choice overall. Annie's Organic Bernie O's isn't your typical canned pasta. It was created by, well, Annie, who is also behind the ever-popular Annie's Homegrown Mac and Cheese. Thanks to Annie's reputation for better-for-you ingredients, it might surprise you to find it a part of our unhealthiest canned pasta list. The good news is that Annie's Organic Bernie O's pasta doesn't feature the same lengthy list of additives as many other canned pasta products but instead focuses on wholesome components such as organic pasta, organic tomato paste, sea salt, and organic cheddar cheese. So, what's the fuss? Sadly, a can of Annie's Organic Bernie O's contains 1,160 milligrams of sodium, 49 grams of carbohydrates, and 7 grams of added sugar, putting it on par with other canned pastas on the list despite its wholesome ingredients. Thus, while this Annie's pasta product is certainly a better pick than the average can of SpaghettiOs ingredients-wise, its sodium and sugar content still leave more to be desired. Canned chili mac sounds like a simple, delicious, and nutritious way to get lunch on the table, right? Well, not quite. While Campbell's Chunky Chili Mac seems to leave most customers feeling satisfied, this 18.8-ounce canned pasta packs a wallop in the sodium category, containing nearly 75% of your recommended daily intake. You read that right -- Campbell's Chunky Chili Mac contains 1,720 milligrams of sodium per can, making it the saltiest canned pasta on the list yet. And that's not all. Expect it to contain all the usual additives found in canned pasta, including the likes of soy lecithin, caramel color, modified cornstarch, and maltodextrin. Our conclusion? Save Campbell's Chunky Chili Mac for a once-in-a-while indulgence, if at all. Given that consistent excessive salt intake is associated with an increased risk of health issues such as kidney disease, heart failure, and stomach cancer, you may want to approach a canned pasta of this caliber with caution. We hate to highlight yet another Annie's pick as unhealthy, but when it comes to some nutritional categories, a can of Annie's Organic All Stars simply isn't the best choice. Like the other Annie's organic canned pasta options on this list, it comes with organic ingredients you don't normally see in canned pasta products. It also lacks high fructose corn syrup or hard-to-pronounce additives. Despite its wholesome components, a can of Annie's Organic All Stars contains a concerning 1,150 milligrams of sodium per can. The general recommendation for sodium intake is even less for children than adults, with those between the ages of 4 and 8 recommended to consume only 1,500 milligrams or less. That means you may want to be careful about how much (and how often) you plate this pasta up for your kiddos. Also, be sure to watch for added sugar when consuming Annie's Organic All Stars. You'll only get 210 calories and 0 grams of saturated fat per can, but there's still 44 grams of carbohydrates and 7 grams of added sugar, which is a hefty amount for a non-dessert food option. Annie's Organic Cheesy Ravioli is the last from the Annie's brand in our unhealthiest canned pasta series. Like the others, this canned pasta seems okay at first glance. Inside, you'll find Annie's ravioli shells stuffed with cheese and drenched in tomato sauce. As always, the ingredients used by this brand are quite impressive and include organic brown rice flour, organic wheat flour, sea salt, and real, organic cheddar cheese. Still, at 1,070 milligrams of sodium per can, we can hardly regard this option as a healthy choice, especially when offered to children. That said, high sodium isn't the only thing to watch out for when considering Annie's Organic Cheesy Ravioli. While other Annie's canned pasta options on this list also contain added sugar, this particular variety takes the cake. Expect Annie's Organic Cheesy Ravioli to contain as much as 9 added grams of sugar per can, which is quite the feat. After all, this is pasta and not a cookie, right? Like the meatball variety of the same product, SpaghettiOs Original is an old-school, ready-to-eat meal that's held near and dear to many hearts. Unfortunately, this canned pasta contains the same concerning ingredients and nutritional issues as many of the other options on this list, making it quite an unhealthy pick despite the nostalgia-based adoration it receives from fans. Starting with the ingredients, expect SpaghettiOs Original to contain high fructose corn syrup and various additives also found in most other non-organic canned pasta products. As you can probably imagine, SpaghettiOs Original is high in sodium, with 1,070 milligrams in every 15.8-ounce can. To make matters worse, SpaghettiOs Original has one of the highest sugar totals we've seen in canned pasta, with a shocking 11 grams of added sugar. Need ideas for making SpaghettiOs at least a tiny bit healthier? If you must, consider adding shredded zucchini to the mix, or at least serving it with a side salad or roasted broccoli. In general, though, we'd recommend skipping this canned pasta dish or consuming it in moderation. SpaghettiOs Original may seem like a fun way to reminisce on old times, but with nutritional stats like these, there are definitely stronger choices out there. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout.
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Amazon shareholders vote down all climate, AI and leadership proposals at annual meeting
Amazon shareholders vote down all climate, AI and leadership proposals at annual meeting Show Caption Hide Caption Ever order 70,000 Dum-Dums off Amazon? This Kentucky boy did. Liam LaFavers spent $4,200 on 30 cases of Dum-Dums ordered from Amazon. His mom did this next. AMZN.O investors at its annual meeting again rejected all outside shareholder resolutions, including three meant to address the online retail giant's impact on climate change. Voters approved the reelection of 12 directors and proposed executive compensation. Shareholders put forth eight proposals, all of which Amazon encouraged investors to vote against. Last year, there were 14 resolutions and all failed to get sufficient votes to be enacted. Among the eight this year were a proposal that would have required additional reporting on Amazon's overall carbon emissions, another targeting the climate impact of data centers and one calling for further disclosure about packaging materials, particularly plastic. Amazon said its existing disclosures are sufficient and that it is working towards reducing its environmental impacts. In case you missed it: Amazon Prime turns 20, sets records in US deliveries and cost savings Two other proposals aimed at the development of artificial intelligence software were also rejected. One resolution would have had Amazon assess its board structure to consider how it might develop AI more responsibly, while the other would have required a report on data usage and collection around AI. Seattle-based Amazon asserted that it is a leader in responsible AI development, and so no changes are needed. Shareholders had also proposed that Amazon create a policy ensuring the separation of its CEO and board chair roles. The company already separates the two roles between CEO Andy Jassy and founder Jeff Bezos, but not as a mandatory policy. As CEO until 2021, Bezos had also held the chairmanship. Shareholders voted against a resolution that would have required the company to create a report on risks presented by advertising, in an effort to keep it politically neutral. Also rejected was a proposal soliciting a report on warehouse working conditions, a perennial source of criticism of the company. Jassy, during a question-and-answer session, said tariffs imposed on many imported goods by the Trump administration had not impacted sales. "We also haven't yet seen any meaningful average selling price increases," he said. "When you have two million sellers, they're not all going to take the same action," he said, noting that some had increased prices while others kept prices static. Amazon will later provide a full tally of the investor vote in a securities filing. Shares were down less than 1% on Wednesday to $203.20. Reporting by Greg Bensinger in San Francisco; Editing by Chris Reese, Joe Bavier and Bill Berkrot
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Yahoo
Lexington mom is recovering from shock of child's Amazon order: 70,000 lollipops
If anyone deserves a restful Mother's Day, it might be Holly LaFavers. The Lexington mom has spent the last week handling the aftermath of her 8-year-old son's unauthorized Amazon order: more than 70,000 lollipops. LaFavers said her son Liam's latest obsession is carnivals, and he had hoped to use the 30 cases of Dum-Dums he ordered as prizes at a carnival of his own. LaFavers told Good Morning America she discovered what had happened when she checked her bank account Sunday morning and saw it was in the red because of a $4,200 charge. She said she contacted Amazon immediately and was told she could get a refund if she rejected the delivery of Dum-Dums. But even though she stayed home to try to intercept it, LaFavers said most of the boxes were left on her doorstep without the driver knocking or ringing her doorbell. She said she was able to reject eight boxes that hadn't been delivered yet by the postal service. But what to do about the other 22 boxes of Dum-Dums, each containing 2,340 suckers, that she did find herself with? 'I had fought with Amazon all day long,' LaFavers said. At the suggestion of her family, she said she posted the crates of candy for sale on Facebook in an attempt to recoup her investment. She said friends and family in Lexington and her hometown, Somerset, quickly jumped in and volunteered to buy them. Ultimately, after WKYT reported the issue and reached out to Amazon, LaFavers said the company agreed to a refund. But because the delivery was for a food item, she said it can't be shipped back, so anyone who offered to buy a 25-pound box of Dum-Dums has either been given one or had them donated elsewhere, their choice. Between delivering lollipops and responding to the resulting media frenzy over the situation, LaFavers said on Saturday she's had 'a very eventful week.' 'I've had phone calls from New Zealand, Australia,' she said. And despite the sudden surplus of Dum-Dums, LaFavers said Liam was not allowed to open any of the boxes. Liam, who came into his adoptive mom's life as a baby, has Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, which LaFavers said affects his decision-making. 'He fixates on things,' LaFavers said. 'It parallels autism.' She said 'he loves giving,' and had planned out all kinds of activities for the carnival he hoped to throw, with Dum-Dums as prizes. In a way, she said, he was practicing a life skill when he placed that order — organizing an event and following through on a task. Despite the stress of the situation and some unkind responses on social media, LaFavers said it has allowed her to help spread awareness about FASD. And, she said, 'I'm glad that we were able to brighten people's day.' 'People see us out in public and start giggling,' she said, giggling just a little herself.
Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Indian Express
Kentucky boy uses mother's phone to order 70K Dum-Dum suckers to share with his friends
A Kentucky woman was in a sticky mess when she found stacks of boxes containing lollipops on her front doorstep. The surprise delivery was ordered by her young son while he played on her phone. Holly LaFavers says she tried stopping 8-year-old Liam's Amazon order for about 70,000 Dum-Dum suckers before the treats arrived but it was too late. Amazon had already delivered 22 cases to her home. 'He told me that he wanted to have a carnival, and he was ordering the Dum-Dums as prizes for his carnival,' LaFavers said. 'Again, he was being friendly, he was being kind to his friends.' The surprise got worse after a quick check of her bank account. She owed about $4,000 for the order. 'When I saw what the number was, I just about fainted,' LaFavers said. Then she found out that eight more cases from the order were unaccounted for, she said. After a trip to the post office, those cases were returned to sender, she said. Her efforts to get a refund took a bit more time but she got her money back. 'After a long day of working with the bank and talking to a few news stations Amazon called and they are refunding my money,' she said in a social media post. LaFavers said she was changing some settings on her phone to make sure there's never another surprise delivery at home.
Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Straits Times
Sticky situation: Boy, 8, uses mum's phone to order over $5,400 worth of lollipops
Twenty-two cases of the candy totalling 50,600 lollies were delivered to Ms Holly LaFavers' house in the south-eastern state of Kentucky. PHOTO: HOLLY LAFAVERS/FACEBOOK Sticky situation: Boy, 8, uses mum's phone to order over $5,400 worth of lollipops A woman in the United States found herself in a sticky situation when her son used her phone to buy nearly 70,000 lollipops online. Ms Holly LaFavers' eight-year-old son Liam placed a bulk order for 30 boxes of Dum-Dum lollipops costing US$4,200 (S$5,460) via her Amazon account, while playing with her phone. She discovered this on May 5 when she checked her bank account and 'immediately panicked' when she saw that her account was in the red. Ms LaFavers said her son, whom she adopted when he was 2½ years old, has foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, which results in learning, thinking, physical and behavioural issues. According to the Mayo Clinic, the disorder is caused by mothers who drank alcohol during pregnancy. Ms LaFavers told the Associated Press: 'He told me that he wanted to have a carnival, and he was ordering the Dum-Dums as prizes for his carnival. He was being friendly, he was being kind to his friends.' She tried to cancel the order, but it was too late. By then, Amazon had already delivered 22 cases of the candy, containing 50,600 lollies, to her home in the south-eastern state of Kentucky . 'Liam went outside to ride his scooter and started screaming, 'My suckers are here,'' she told American morning television programme Good Morning America. 'There were just 22 boxes of suckers on our front porch,' she said, adding that she did not receive any alerts that the consignment had been delivered Another eight boxes of the candy with 18,400 lollies arrived two hours later, which Ms LaFavers was able to reject. She said she faced difficulties trying to get a refund from Amazon , so she turned to Facebook for help. 'Hi everyone! Liam ordered 30 cases of Dum-Dums and Amazon will not let me return them. 'Sale: $130 box. Still sealed,' she wrote in a post. Almost immediately, family, friends, neighbours and even strangers offered help and within two hours, every box was purchased. Amazon eventually agreed to give her a full refund, Ms LaFavers said. 'After a long day of working with the bank and talking to a few news stations, Amazon called, and they are refunding my money!!!' she said in an updated Facebook post later on that day. 'Thank you to everyone that offered to buy a box to help us. I will be happy to get you what you 'ordered' or donate them to a charity of your choice.' In a statement to People magazine, Amazon confirmed that it had issued a full refund. 'We're glad we were able to work directly with this customer to turn a sticky situation into something sweet,' the company said. Separately, Mr Kirk Vashaw, CEO of Dum Dums, told People: 'We are excited to hear about such an enthusiastic Dum-Dums fan. We love that so many people jumped in to offer to buy the extra cases and that the family was ultimately reimbursed. We'd also like to offer Liam a job interview in the next 10 to 15 years.' Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
