April 28, 2017
Always Check The Nutrition Facts
How many of us look for the best possible choices for our family while shopping at the grocery store, but have been fooled by misleading labels? I know I have, many times. We are naturally drawn to key words such as “sugar-free” “fat free” “natural ingredients.”
We are trusting that the food companies have specific guide lines to follow, and health Canada has a close eye on what they are allowed to advertise on their packaging to protect the consumer. Think again!! Here are some things to look for on deceptive wording and product claims:
SUGAR FREE! Well, white sugar free that is. Turns out Stevia, Sorbitol, Xylitol, Aspartame, the “olse” family – maltose, sucrose, dextrose, and all naturally occurring fruit sugars. The sad part is, our body cannot tell the difference between natural and man made sugars…
Keep processed sugary snacks to a minimum, and choose those with the least unpronounceable ingredients
FAT FREE! Oh yes, hello my old friend. I witnessed that terrible fat free 80’s era, where it was engraved in our minds that fat was the root of all evil. I am 42 years old, and it still lurks in my brain. Turns out, we weren’t really that smart when it came to giving or receiving information on fat and all its dangers. Maybe it was all that hairspray? Fat free foods or low fat foods contain more sugar and chemicals to make up for lost taste. Our bodies need fat in order to function, we just missed the memo on what exactly the right type of fats are.
Eggs, nuts, cream, vegetable, fish and meat fats are best at their natural source and essential for our bodies. They should be incorporated in a healthy balanced diet. Fat free translates to costly additives.
NATURAL INGREDIENTS! Come on, are you kidding me? It says NATURAL! How can these sneaky companies get around this one? Well, let me show you. A product can contain “some” natural ingredients and still have high amounts of sugar, fat, and sodium. Turns out they pretty much contain the same junk whether it has a “NATURAL INGREDIENT” claim or not.
Natural ingredients should have no ingredient label!
Read your labels!! The companies are counting on the fact we won’t!!!
