Food Labeling Deception: The Lies They Tell You
Are you tired of being lied to?
While it's not easy to always stay on top of the latest trends in nutrition, generally speaking, most people do their best to stay healthy. One problem is that restaurants and food manufacturers consistently lie about the quality and content of their food.
Here are the top 7 lies they don't want you to know about:
1. "carb smart," and "carb free lifestyle".
Many people purchase items with these labels thinking that "carbs are bad". Lables will often say that they're carbohydrates will have "a minimal impact on blood sugar". But you have to remember, carbohydrates still provide calories that can contribute to weight gain.
2. "Low fat": Many foods can be described as low fat even if there are no more than 3 grams of fat in a single serving.
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.
You are very often offered portions much larger the typical serving size. So a two cup serving of "low fat" ice cream would contain 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 indicate what "light" is intended to convey. If the meaning is not clearly explained, you should seek clarification. If "light" is used to indicate a calorie reduction, fat, or sodium, information about those nutrients should be provided upon request.
4. "Cholesterol free": These claims are popular so be sure to keep in mind:
"Cholesterol free" does not mean that you should eat it.
Foods like veal, foul, and scallops contain cholesterol -- even if they are cooked in "cholesterol free" oil.
Saturated and trans fat can raise the level of cholesterol in your blood:
"Cholesterol free" foods often contain saturated fat. The FDA says that foods low in saturated fat must be described as "cholesterol free," but watch out -- most restaurants and manufacturers do not comply with this requirement.
The FDA allows foods with significant amounts of trans fats to be called "cholesterol free." To avoid trans fats, limit 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.
7. "Heart" claims: Claims like "heart-healthy," "heart smart," and "heart" imply that the food will be low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, and not high in sodium. - 17269
While it's not easy to always stay on top of the latest trends in nutrition, generally speaking, most people do their best to stay healthy. One problem is that restaurants and food manufacturers consistently lie about the quality and content of their food.
Here are the top 7 lies they don't want you to know about:
1. "carb smart," and "carb free lifestyle".
Many people purchase items with these labels thinking that "carbs are bad". Lables will often say that they're carbohydrates will have "a minimal impact on blood sugar". But you have to remember, carbohydrates still provide calories that can contribute to weight gain.
2. "Low fat": Many foods can be described as low fat even if there are no more than 3 grams of fat in a single serving.
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.
You are very often offered portions much larger the typical serving size. So a two cup serving of "low fat" ice cream would contain 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 indicate what "light" is intended to convey. If the meaning is not clearly explained, you should seek clarification. If "light" is used to indicate a calorie reduction, fat, or sodium, information about those nutrients should be provided upon request.
4. "Cholesterol free": These claims are popular so be sure to keep in mind:
"Cholesterol free" does not mean that you should eat it.
Foods like veal, foul, and scallops contain cholesterol -- even if they are cooked in "cholesterol free" oil.
Saturated and trans fat can raise the level of cholesterol in your blood:
"Cholesterol free" foods often contain saturated fat. The FDA says that foods low in saturated fat must be described as "cholesterol free," but watch out -- most restaurants and manufacturers do not comply with this requirement.
The FDA allows foods with significant amounts of trans fats to be called "cholesterol free." To avoid trans fats, limit 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.
7. "Heart" claims: Claims like "heart-healthy," "heart smart," and "heart" imply that the food will be low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, and not high in sodium. - 17269
About the Author:
Be sure to visit personal trainers in Fullerton 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
6:40 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home