Posts from — April 2009

Let’s start talking about food product labeling and the claims that food manufacturers post on their packaging.  A key tip – the claims on the front of a package of your favorite food are just that – claims. 

When the front of the package states “Reduced Fat”, “Light” or “Low Fat”, keep in mind that the manufacturer may have added loads of sugar to the item instead.  If the label states “No Cholesterol”, that means no animal fat may have been used in making the product, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s low in fat. 

The real info is on the nutrition panel and ingredient list.  On that ingredient list, items appear in descending order from largest to smallest amounts.  The longer the ingredient list, the more processed and unhealthy the food is.  Focus on nice short ingredient lists – with ingredients you can pronounce!

My first official post addressed the prevalence of High Fructose Corn Syrup.  Now, I’m going to tackle the equally prevalent existence of hydrogenated oils in the foods available in our local grocery stores.  

Hydrogenated oils (trans fats) are created in an industrial process engineered to extend a food product’s shelf-life.  Consumption has been linked to heart disease, obesity, cancer, diabetes, arthritis and MS.  Be aware that regulations for food claims on the front of a package are very loose, and a package might claim 0% trans fat but actually contain up to 2 grams of trans fats per serving. 

If you see hydrogenated oils in an ingredient list, put the product back on the shelf.

I’m going to kick off this blog addressing one of my huge frustrations in the food world. I cannot stand that so many food manufacturers are using High Fructose Corn Syrup, and even more infuriating is the recent string of television commercials trying to promote the artificial sweetening agent as okay in moderation.

You will find High Fructose Corn Syrup in products throughout your local grocery store. It entered the marketplace in the 1970’s as a cheaper alternative to sugar in volume food production. In the form of a fermenting murky liquid manufactured in chemical plants, consumption of HFCS has been linked to diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and accelerated aging.

It will be a challenge, but read those ingredient labels and put back any product with HFCS in the list (and there will be many). It’s everywhere – pizzas, baked beans, candies, breads, yogurt, baby food, ketchup, cookies, even beer. Have faith though; there are options in the store without it. My kids love 3 snacks in particular that are free of the nasty stuff – Indigo Rabbit cookies, Smart Puffs (distributed by Robert’s American Gourmet), and Rold Gold Honey Wheat Braided pretzels.

I’d love to get new ideas.  What are some terrific grocery store items you’ve found that don’t contain HFCS?