Walking through the supermarket, food companies entice you with health and ingredient claims written in bold on the front of their packaging.
What do they really mean? It is usually not what you think!
0 (zero) grams trans fats- When you see this on a package, you can bet there is probably trans fats in it. It just means that there is less than a gram per serving. Look for the words “No Trans Fats”.
sugar free- This often screams “artificial sweeteners added”. So make sure that you know which ones they are. Artificial sweeteners are worse that real sugar. It also could mean that fruits or fruit juice is what was added.
low carb- Foods that are not normally low carb, like bread or candy, is made to be low carb,the carb is replaced with anything from fiber, artificial sweeteners, to sugar alcohols. All of these ingredients have been known to cause gastric distress.
low fat- This means that it has less than three grams of fat per serving. Most of the time, when fat is removed from a food, something is used to replace that fat to keep it palatable, usually in the form of sugar or refined starches. This is true of other low fat claims like “light” (50% less fat), “fat free” (less than one gram of fat) and reduced fat (25% less fat). These sometimes can be worse than their higher fat counter parts. Also, just because it is lower in fat does not mean it is lower in calories.
all natural- This claim actually means nothing or includes really anything. Manufacturers are allowed to this put on practically any food.
corn fed beef- This label is supposed to make you feel like you are getting tender high quality beef. Do not be fooled. Cattle were never meant to eat corn so, what it really means is that the cattle are pumped with antibiotics! Look for 100% grass fed beef.
USDA organic- Now this one has some clout! While all the time the food industry is attempting to lessen restrictions on what “organic” means, right now it means something. It means no pesticides, and no herbicides, period. The rules what constitutes organic meats and chicken are very strict as well. The animals feed has to be free on chemicals, no hormones or antibiotics can be given to the animal. While it is not guaranteed, these animals are often treated better than their factory farmed counter parts.
free range- This gives the picture of animals frolicking in the hills of the country side. It really has relatively little meaning. These claims are not regulated and it has been reported that “free range” can consist of a little more than a hour in a pen outside or so called “access” to the outside. What ever that means. Look for organic and not free range.
Tip- Always read the ingredients list. If it is an item that you have bought before, periodically check the ingredients to make sure they have not changed. Manufacturers often change ingredients without warning.
The lesson here is, do not judge a food by its wrapper! Better yet, when possible avoid the wrapper all together!
First published Mar 23, 2007 Samantha Rufle
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