Food Labeling Deception: The Lies They Tell You
Are you tired of being lied to?
Everyday you purchase food items that you think are good for you. You probably base your decisions on the food labels themselves. The problem is that there it is very difficult to monitor and enforce misrepresentations about food claims that restaurants and food manufacturers make.
There are seven lies that they tell you. Here they are.
1. "carb smart," and "carb free lifestyle".
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". Remember, they still are sometimes high in 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.
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.
And remember, "low in fat" does equal "low in calories."
3. "Light": "Light" is commonly used to mean many different things.
Food labels must clearly indicate what "light" is intended to convey. If the meaning is not clearly explained, you should seek clarification. If "light" indicates a reduction in calories, fat, or sodium, information about those nutrients should be provided.
4. "Cholesterol free": "Cholesterol free" claims are very popular but can also be very misleading. Keep in mind that:
"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.
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 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": Keep in mind that "sugar free" does not mean "calorie free" or "fat free." When foods are described as "sugar free" it does NOT mean that it is not low-calorie or reduced-calorie.
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" imply that the food will be low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, and not high in sodium. - 17268
Everyday you purchase food items that you think are good for you. You probably base your decisions on the food labels themselves. The problem is that there it is very difficult to monitor and enforce misrepresentations about food claims that restaurants and food manufacturers make.
There are seven lies that they tell you. Here they are.
1. "carb smart," and "carb free lifestyle".
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". Remember, they still are sometimes high in 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.
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.
And remember, "low in fat" does equal "low in calories."
3. "Light": "Light" is commonly used to mean many different things.
Food labels must clearly indicate what "light" is intended to convey. If the meaning is not clearly explained, you should seek clarification. If "light" indicates a reduction in calories, fat, or sodium, information about those nutrients should be provided.
4. "Cholesterol free": "Cholesterol free" claims are very popular but can also be very misleading. Keep in mind that:
"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.
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 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": Keep in mind that "sugar free" does not mean "calorie free" or "fat free." When foods are described as "sugar free" it does NOT mean that it is not low-calorie or reduced-calorie.
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" imply that the food will be low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, and not high in sodium. - 17268
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
6:12 AM
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