Food Labeling Deception: The Lies They Tell You
They're lying to you.
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.
There are seven lies that they tell you. Here they are.
1. "carb smart," "net carb," "carb free lifestyle," and minimal impact on blood sugar.
Many people purchase items with these labels thinking that "carbs are bad". Lables will often say that they're carbs 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, pizza may be called "low fat" as long as there are no more than 3 grams of fat in a slice.
Frequently you are offered food portions much larger the typical serving size. So a single serving slice of pizza (3 grams of fat according to the label) could contain twelve grams of fat!
Also, keep in mind that even a small-sized serving of "low fat" main dishes like sandwiches, can have more than 3 grams of fat in 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.
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.
Also, saturated fat and trans fat can raise your cholesterol level.
"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.
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. - 17274
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.
There are seven lies that they tell you. Here they are.
1. "carb smart," "net carb," "carb free lifestyle," and minimal impact on blood sugar.
Many people purchase items with these labels thinking that "carbs are bad". Lables will often say that they're carbs 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, pizza may be called "low fat" as long as there are no more than 3 grams of fat in a slice.
Frequently you are offered food portions much larger the typical serving size. So a single serving slice of pizza (3 grams of fat according to the label) could contain twelve grams of fat!
Also, keep in mind that even a small-sized serving of "low fat" main dishes like sandwiches, can have more than 3 grams of fat in 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.
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.
Also, saturated fat and trans fat can raise your cholesterol level.
"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.
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. - 17274
About the Author:
Be sure to visit personal trainers in Yorba Linda CA and boot camps in Irvine 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
6:19 AM
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