February 2002. Raleigh, NC. Good Ole' Campbell's Soup. I was raised on it. The winters in Minnesota are so incredibly cold that there is absolutely nothing better than a piping hot bowl or mug of delicious Campbell's Soup!

On top of how delicious and warming it is, soups can be down-right nutritious, too! Some are loaded with vegetables and lean protein like chicken and make a good meal at any time of the day.

So last night when I was thinking about eating (again!) while watching "Everybody Loves Raymond," I decided to get up and quickly heat up a can of Campbell's Tomato Soup -- one of my absolute favorites. While I was eating it and bragging to Michael about how nutritious it was, and how I could eat a TON of it without spoiling my rather-strict diet, Michael asked me just how many carbs were in it. I told him that it was tomato soup!! There aren't any carbs in tomato soup, and to prove it to him, I went and got the can.

People, I am telling you, I was absolutely horrified with what I saw. I am on a strict diet and was so good all day long, and was so pleased with myself for eating something healthy (whole foods without any sugar -- whole grains, chicken, vegetables, etc), and I read that the soup had 2.5 servings in it, and 20 carbs per serving. This was my bed-time snack and I don't eat sugar and more than 20g of carbohydrates before bed! My goodness! But this is a vegetable soup! Tomatoes are low in calories and carbohydrates, aren't they?

Guess what my cherished soup has as it's 2nd ingredient: HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP! I had just eaten 50 GRAMS OF SUGAR and I almost cried. I had worked so hard and felt betrayed by an old friend. No wonder I love it. Next time instead of reaching for the "healthy" soup, I think I'll just reach for a heaping helping of coconut cake.

Remember, you don't know what you're eating unless you read the label!