Food Labeling Deception: The Lies They Tell You
Are you tired of 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.
These are the top seven lies that restaurants and food manufacturers tell you.
1. "carbohydrate smart," and "carbohydrate free lifestyle".
Many people purchase foods with "healthy" labels thinking that "carbs are bad". Lables will often say that they're carbs will have "a minimal impact on blood sugar". Still remember, they still are high in calories that make you fatter.
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.
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!
You must bear in mind that even a small-sized serving of low fat main dishes like hamburgers can have more than three grams of fat per serving.
Remember, "low in fat" does not mean "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 steak, chicken, and shrimp contain cholesterol -- even if they are deep fried in "cholesterol free" cooking 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. - 17274
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.
These are the top seven lies that restaurants and food manufacturers tell you.
1. "carbohydrate smart," and "carbohydrate free lifestyle".
Many people purchase foods with "healthy" labels thinking that "carbs are bad". Lables will often say that they're carbs will have "a minimal impact on blood sugar". Still remember, they still are high in calories that make you fatter.
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.
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!
You must bear in mind that even a small-sized serving of low fat main dishes like hamburgers can have more than three grams of fat per serving.
Remember, "low in fat" does not mean "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 steak, chicken, and shrimp contain cholesterol -- even if they are deep fried in "cholesterol free" cooking 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. - 17274
About the Author:
Be sure to visit personal trainers in Yorba Linda CA and boot camps in Rancho Santa Margarita 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
5:55 AM
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