Here we go – the first Would Amanda Eat It? feature of the new year! We ended off last year on a sweet note (Cookies N’ Cream Cookie Butter) – but let’s be honest – that stuff was a definite no on the healthy foods list.
Another Trader Joe’s product request came from a loyal reader, so I wanted to honor that. The food item in question? 
Trader Joe’s Panko Breaded Tilapia Fillets.
How can you go wrong with fish? You’d be surprised. Let’s check out the stats:
The good:
- it IS actual fish! Heart-healthy, low-calorie fish!
- you get 15g of protein per fillet, not too shabby
- guys, I can’t even think of a third good thing. You know that’s trouble.
The bad:
- Two words: salt bomb. One measly little fillet has 530mg, which is more than 25% of your daily recommended max – and on a low-sodium, diet, nearly 50%.
- Another three words? Fatty fat fat. And not the healthy kind. Each fillet packs a whopping 7g of saturated fat – over 40% of your daily recommended max – which is astounding since tilapia in its “naked” form has less than 1g (!).
- Speaking of words, a word you shouldn’t have to worry about when eating fish is carbohydrates. Yet this fillet has a lot of ’em – 27g, as much as two slices of Ezekiel bread – in its 320 calories.
- And let’s not forget the preservatives. Guar gum, tapioca starch, calcium carbonate – you don’t want this MSG-similar stuff in your diet, believe me.
The verdict:
- Nope, no, and absolutely not. If I am going to binge on a salty, fatty meal – you better believe it’s going to be a delicious and savory In N’ Out Burger (which actually has comparable calories and less saturated fat than this piece of fish!) and not a packaged frozen fish.
The alternative:
- It’s a no-brainer here, guys – how about good old-fashioned tilapia fillets?
Don’t worry, package-loving people – you can buy this tasty fish pre-portioned and ready to cook, just like Trader Joe’s sells it – just without the breading. You’ll save yourself 220 calories, 6.5 grams of saturated fat, and ALL of the carbs (plain fish is carb-free, folks) – plus gain an extra 6g of protein per serving.
- Not convinced? Check out these non-breaded, low-sodium ways to prepare tilapia that taste just as good (or better!) than the junky stuff.
What food would you like to see featured in next week’s Would Amanda Eat It? Comment here or on my Facebook page!
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