Food Labeling Deception: The Lies They Tell You
You are being lied to.
When you go to the store or a restaurant, you probably purchase items based on the labels and packaging. The problem is that the restaurants and manufacturers make misrepresentations about what is in their food.
Here are the top 7 lies they don't want you to know about:
1. "carbohydrate smart," "net carbohydrate," "carb free lifestyle," and minimal impact on blood sugar.
Many people purchase items with these labels thinking that "carbohydrates are bad". Lables will often say that they're carbohydrates will have "a minimal impact on blood sugar". But you have to remember, carbs still provide calories that can make you fat.
2. "Low fat": Most foods may be described as "low fat" if there are no more than 3 grams of fat in a standard serving. Standard servings have been established by the FDA to reflect the amount of food that is typically consumed. Since will often be served foods much larger than the standard serving, a "low fat" food typically will contain large amounts of fat.
For example, ice cream may be called "low fat" as long as there are no more than 3 grams of fat in a standard half cup serving.
However, you are usually offered portions several times larger than the standard serving size. So a 2-cup serving of "low fat" ice cream may contain up to 12 grams of fat!
Be sure to keep in mind that even a small servings of "low fat" main dishes like pizza can have more than 3 grams of fat to a serving.
Remember, "low in fat" does not mean "low in calories."
3. "Light": May describe a food's taste, color, or texture, or it may indicate that the food's calorie, fat, or sodium content has been significantly reduced.
Labels should clearly indicate what "light" is intended to convey. If the meaning is not explained, ask for claification. If "light" is used to indicate lower calories, fat, or sodium, information about those nutrients must be provided upon request.
4. "Cholesterol free": These claims are popular so be sure to keep in mind:
"Cholesterol free" does not mean that it is a healthy food.
Foods like veal, foul, and scallops contain cholesterol -- even if they are cooked in "cholesterol free" oil.
Also, saturated fat and trans fat can raise your cholesterol level.
"Cholesterol free" foods can also contain saturated fat. The FDA says that foods that are low in saturated fat can be described as "cholesterol free," so watch out -- many do not comply with this law.
The FDA allows foods with abundant amounts of trans-fats to be called "cholesterol free." To avoid trans-fats and limit your consumption of foods prepared with vegetable shortening or partially hydrogenated oils.
5. "Sugar free": Some foods, especially desserts, may be described as "sugar free." When foods are described as "sugar free" it's not always low-calorie or reduced-calorie, the menu must say so.
6. "Healthy": Food described as "healthy" must be low in fat and saturated fat and may not be high in cholesterol or sodium. However, there are no limits on the amount of sugar or calories that a "healthy" food may contain.
7. "Heart" claims: Claims like "heart-healthy," "heart smart," and "heart" symbols imply that a food may be useful in reducing the risk of heart disease. When such claims are made, the food must be low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, and must not be high in sodium. But keep in mind that most vendors will not always comply with these restrictions. - 17269
When you go to the store or a restaurant, you probably purchase items based on the labels and packaging. The problem is that the restaurants and manufacturers make misrepresentations about what is in their food.
Here are the top 7 lies they don't want you to know about:
1. "carbohydrate smart," "net carbohydrate," "carb free lifestyle," and minimal impact on blood sugar.
Many people purchase items with these labels thinking that "carbohydrates are bad". Lables will often say that they're carbohydrates will have "a minimal impact on blood sugar". But you have to remember, carbs still provide calories that can make you fat.
2. "Low fat": Most foods may be described as "low fat" if there are no more than 3 grams of fat in a standard serving. Standard servings have been established by the FDA to reflect the amount of food that is typically consumed. Since will often be served foods much larger than the standard serving, a "low fat" food typically will contain large amounts of fat.
For example, ice cream may be called "low fat" as long as there are no more than 3 grams of fat in a standard half cup serving.
However, you are usually offered portions several times larger than the standard serving size. So a 2-cup serving of "low fat" ice cream may contain up to 12 grams of fat!
Be sure to keep in mind that even a small servings of "low fat" main dishes like pizza can have more than 3 grams of fat to a serving.
Remember, "low in fat" does not mean "low in calories."
3. "Light": May describe a food's taste, color, or texture, or it may indicate that the food's calorie, fat, or sodium content has been significantly reduced.
Labels should clearly indicate what "light" is intended to convey. If the meaning is not explained, ask for claification. If "light" is used to indicate lower calories, fat, or sodium, information about those nutrients must be provided upon request.
4. "Cholesterol free": These claims are popular so be sure to keep in mind:
"Cholesterol free" does not mean that it is a healthy food.
Foods like veal, foul, and scallops contain cholesterol -- even if they are cooked in "cholesterol free" oil.
Also, saturated fat and trans fat can raise your cholesterol level.
"Cholesterol free" foods can also contain saturated fat. The FDA says that foods that are low in saturated fat can be described as "cholesterol free," so watch out -- many do not comply with this law.
The FDA allows foods with abundant amounts of trans-fats to be called "cholesterol free." To avoid trans-fats and limit your consumption of foods prepared with vegetable shortening or partially hydrogenated oils.
5. "Sugar free": Some foods, especially desserts, may be described as "sugar free." When foods are described as "sugar free" it's not always low-calorie or reduced-calorie, the menu must say so.
6. "Healthy": Food described as "healthy" must be low in fat and saturated fat and may not be high in cholesterol or sodium. However, there are no limits on the amount of sugar or calories that a "healthy" food may contain.
7. "Heart" claims: Claims like "heart-healthy," "heart smart," and "heart" symbols imply that a food may be useful in reducing the risk of heart disease. When such claims are made, the food must be low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, and must not be high in sodium. But keep in mind that most vendors will not always comply with these restrictions. - 17269
About the Author:
Be sure to visit personal trainers in Yorba Linda CA and boot camps in Fullerton CA for more FREE health, fitness and wellness articles and videos from Orange County California's top fitness trainer, Curtis Ludlow.
posted by X - Men at
6:16 AM
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