Hey! Quick question... do you ever turn your box of cereal around and see this? And have no idea what the heck is going on! This is the case in most American homes these days. The media says "Read your labels! Watch your fat and calories!"
The very first thing you ever want to look for on a box of whatever is INGREDIENTS!!! The number one ingredient in the product means thats what it has the most of (and so on down the list). Next, do you recognize or can you pronounce the ingredients found in this product? Lets take for instance Fiber One yogurt-- Yeah, the 80 calories looks great with 0 fat... but lets look a little farther down to see how the scientist did this one.
- Well the first ingredient is milk-- that's good!
- High fructose corn syrup... oh yeah, really? That's never good.
- Chicory Root-- this is a dietary supplement/ food additive...mostly added for fiber--not bad.
- modified corn starch--yet another CORN product, it's added to foods to act as a thickener, to acquire a certain texture, or to keep foods moist. This is not harmful but adds no nutritional value.
- Whey Protein Concentrate... a by-product of cheese production, this is typically marketed as a dietary supplement. Whey protein concentrate has anywhere between 29% and 89% protein depending upon the product. As the protein level in whey protein concentrate decreases the amounts of fat and/or lactose usually increase.
- Kosher Gelatin- This was difficult to explain, so in expert words:
- "Most gelatin comes from the bones of cattle, but there are other sources of gelatin and each is considered separately for labeling purposes. If a gelatin comes from a source that is neither animal- nor dairy-based, it is pareve, meaning it is a neutral food and Jewish adherents who want to remain kosher may consume it. This type of gelatin comes from carob beans, agar-agar, guar gum and xanthan gum.If gelatin comes from an animal, it isn't automatically traif, or forbidden. To be kosher, the gelatin must not come from an animal that Judaism considers unclean, such as swine or certain types of shellfish or shallow-water fish. Deep-water fish may be used in the preparation of kosher gelatin. In short, gelatin may be kosher if the animal it came from was kosher, but all forms of vegetarian gelatin are considered kosher." Basically, gelatin helps holds it together.
- Natural and Artificial Flavors- Hmmm whats that? That could be just about anything?
- Citric Acid-- this is a natural preservative. It may also add some flavor.
- Aspartame-- this is an artificial sweetener that has been linked to many things including: headaches, GI Tract discomfort, fatigue, nausea, sleep, and vision problems.
- Potassium Sorbate-- Like it says, to maintain freshness. (Preservative!!, yuck)
- Colored with Carmine-- This is what makes it red. As a food dye it has been known to cause severe allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock in some people. Carmine may be prepared from cochineal, by boiling dried insects in water to extract the carminic acid and then treating the clear solution with alum. So if you have certain religious restrictions, food allergies, or are a vegetarian, this may be something to avoid. Might I add that this additive is highly restricted. In 2006, it was under review by the FDA, public health officials wanted it clearly stated that that carmine may cause severe allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock and that it is derived from insects. Of course the FDA never put this into law and with the food industries also STRONGLY opposing the labeling, it never happened.
- Vitamin A and D-- Your basic vitamins here. I guess at the end, after its all said and done, they had to throw something good in to feel good.
Depending on your age, gender, height, and physical activity, your calorie intake for the day will most likely be different then your best friends or moms. Typically the nutritional labeling is based on a 2000 calorie diet, and normally will always give a 2500 calorie diet as well. So, when looking at a label this is most likely the next thing your eyes are drawn to. It is always best to talk to a Doctor or a Register Dietitian before starting a diet or any intense physical exercise!
What about an Energy-Star-like Label?
Recently I read an article on USA Today about proposals to get two mains things put on the front of food item: Calories and Fat. These are always the two main things Americans are looking at, so why not put it on the front? What are your thoughts? Would this make you change the box of Triscuits you just picked up or the package of Oreos in your hand? Read more at the second link below!
Sources: What Is Kosher Gelatin? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_4617146_kosher-gelatin_.html#ixzz1bkV4ozpy
http://yourlife.usatoday.com/fitness-food/safety/story/2011-10-20/Report-Food-labels-need-Energy-Star-like-ratings/50841158/1
Hopefully this is helpful!
Hope everyone had a wonderful monday!
No comments:
Post a Comment