Calories in Vlasic Dill pickle spears

WeightWatchers Points are estimated by carbohydrates, fats, protein and fiber in product. They are not an affirmation of better quality or nutritional value of the product or its manufacturer. Only way to count for dieters. Less points are better.
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Sodium benzoate / benzoic acid are used to prevent the growth of microorganisms in acidic foods. They are natural substances. However, in beverages with ascorbic acid (vitamin C), a chemical reaction creates small amount of benzene, a carcinogen. ----------- Sources: 1. Gardner LK, Lawrence GD. Benzene production from decarboxylation of benzoic acid in the presence of ascorbic acid and a transition-metal catalyst. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 1993;41(5):693–695 2. Bonaccorsi G, Perico A, Bavazzano P, et al. Benzene in soft drinks: a study in Florence (Italy). Igiene e sanita pubblica 2012;68(4):523-32. 3. Li L, Li H, Zhang X, Wang L, Xu L, Wang X, Yu Y, Zhang Y, Cao G. Pollution characteristics and health risk assessment of benzene homologues in ambient air in the northeastern urban area of Beijing, China. Journal of Environmental Sciences 2014;26(1):214-23. · Focuses on benzene in the air vs. food. However, supports cancer risk from benzene exposure 4. Huff J. Benzene-induced cancers: abridged history and occupational health impact. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health 2007;13(2):213-21. 5. Smith, MT. Advances in understanding benzene health effects and susceptibility. Annual Review of Public Health 2010;31:133-48 6. Nyman PJ, Diachenko GW, Perfetti GA, McNeal TP, Hiatt MH, Morehouse KM. Survey results of benzene in soft drinks and other beverages by headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2008;56(2):571-6.

Once upon a time, there were no food colorings. Then folks figured out that food looks better and sells more when it can be enlivened through dyes. For most of food history, the dyes were from natural sources – beet juice for red, turmeric for yellow,etc… However, in the quest to increase color intensity and lower manufacturing costs, cheap artificial dyes were introduced to market. Unfortunately they pose a risk for hyperactivity in children, cancer, and allergic reactions. ----------- Sources: Feingold BF. Hyperkinesis and learning disabilities linked to artificial food flavors and colors. Am J Nurs 1975; 75-5: 797-803. Harley JP, Matthews CG, Eichman P. Synthetic Food Colors and Hyperactivity in Children: A double-blind challenge experiment. Pediatrics 1978; 62: 975-983. Kobylewski S, Jacobson M. Toxicology of food dyes. Int J Occup Env Heal 2012; 18-3: 220-246. McCann D, Barrett A, Cooper A, Crumpler D, Dalen L, Grimshaw K, Kitchin E, Lok K, Porteous L, Prince E, Sonuga-Garke E, OWarner J, Stevenson J. Food additives and hyperactive behavior in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 2007; 370: 1560-67. Schab DW, Trinh NT. Do artificial food colors promote hyperactivity in children with hyperactive syndromes? A meta-analysis of double-blind placebo-controlled trials. J Dev Behav Pediatr 2004; 25: 423-434. Sonuga-Barke EJS, Hollis C, Brandeis D, Konofal E, Cortese S, Lecendreux M, Daley D, Wong I, Ferrin M, Sergeant J, Holtmann M, Stevenson J, Danckaerts M, Van Der Oord S, Dopfner M, Dittmann R, Simonoff E, Zuddas A, Banaschewski T, Buitelaar J, Coghill D. Nonharmacological interventions for ADHA: Systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials of dietary and psychological treatments. Am J Psychiatry 2013; 170-3: 275-289. Stevens LJ, Kuczek T, Burgess JR, Hurt E, Arnold LE. Dietary sensitivities and ADHD symptoms: Thirty-five years of research. Clin Pediatr 2011; 50:279-293. Williams JI, Cram DM, Tausig FT, Webster E. Relative effects of drugs and diet on hyperactive behaviors: An experimental study. Pediatrics 1978; 61-6: 811-817.

* FoodPoints are calculated by Fooducate based on fats, carbs, fiber, and protein. They are not an endorsement or approval of the product or its manufacturer. The fewer points - the better.

"0 Calories" are a great marketing pitch, but do these products really contain no calories? Here are some trouble zones where 0 calories may depend on a very small serving size: - Cooking oil spray - Pickles - Mustard - Baking items If you're calculating calories, keep in mind that while 0 calories might be "one" serving - you have to keep to the 1 serving. That means a quick spritz of the cooking oil and just the right serving size for pickles & mustard (which can have added sugar). Watch out for other baking items, like decorating sugars that can quickly add up.

This product is highly processed. If you'll take a look at its ingredient list, you'll discover new words to add to your vocabulary. Many of theses ingredients are required to increase the shelf life of the product and improve the flavor that disappears when food is not fresh.

Pickles are made from cucumbers which are mostly water. That's why their calorie count is so low. Pickling is a means to preserve cucumbers for a lengthy period of time, but unfortunately the preservative of choice is either is salt or sugar/vinegar combo. Most pickles are very high in sodium. A "bread & butter" pickle has lower sodium, but lots of added sugar. Bottom line: A pickle is not a good veggie snack - it's a condiment and should be consumed as a condiment.

Companies add flavorings to make products taste better. They are created in a lab and the formulations are guarded as trade secrets. Flavorings can compensate for flavor loss during processing, substitute for ingredients, lower production costs and increase shelf stability. Natural flavorings are more expensive to source than artificial flavors, but tend to be better received by consumers. People sensitive to MSG, vegans, vegetarians and those with allergies should pay special attention to the phrase "natural flavorings" since glutamates, animal products or allergens may be the source of natural flavors. You can always contact the manufacturer for more information.

Calcium chloride is thought of as OK for your health, though some advise that it could cause slight stomach irritation. When used as an additive in products like jellies or cheeses, it causes the food to firm up. When used in tomato-based products it prevents disintegration. It also adds a tiny bit of saltiness without adding sodium. This additive is a by-product of The Solvay process. In this process, carbon dioxide is mixed with table salt and ammonia to create soda ash (or potash) and other products, like baking soda. One of the problems is that this process produces waste - a lot of waste. As a result of this and other technological advances, the last Solvay plant in the US closed in 1986. But the process continues in other parts of the world. While more and more calcium chloride is removed from the waste in settling ponds or dumped directly into the sea, the issue of what to do with this by-product is still relevant. By using calcium chloride as a food additive, manufacturers are actually reducing the amount of waste that is put back into the environment. Whether this is a "reuse" effort you want to be a part of is up to you . . .