I do the grocery shopping in our household and I spend time checking labels as to the ingredients contained in the product.
It is amazing to see the packaging contain claims like "97%fat free", "no added sugar",
"low in salt", "highin calcium", Etc. etc.There is scarcely a food item on the supermarket shelves that doesn't have some sort of health claim.
There is an increasing number of people choosing foods that claim a specific health benefit. Organic food sales have increased by 40% in the past five years. Gluten free products are being demanded by a 10 - 20% increase a year. This is dispite the fact that about only 1 % of people have an intolerance to gluten.
Manufacturers have seen this trend and " health" has become a huge selling point and they claim their product has some sort of health bebefit even if they're not good for you.
A claim like "97% fat free" could have a very high refined carbhydrate content which may increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
My point here is that you need to be aware of manufacturers' claims are there to sell their product.
One of the items I found in the health food section was a yoghurt- coated almond & apricot health bar containing more fat than a McDonald's cheeseburger. You would imagine that an almond & apricot bar would be healthy.
You just cannot assume all items in the healthfood isles are better for you.
Stepping out of the supermarket and shopping malls to visit the ' farmer's markets' to purchase organic fresh foods can present it's own minefield. Many of the stall holders are weekday shop owners purchasing their produce from the same wholesalers and then selling under the umbrella of 'farmer's markets', and are not in any way shape or form, involved in growing the food themselves.
I can recall one supermarket chain claiming their produce was picked one day, transported the next, and on their shelf the third day. If you believe this then You are in for a shock.
The facts are that most produce harvested today will be stored in refridgeration for many weeks or months before you see it on the shelf.
Talk soon
FrankW
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Hi Frank,
ReplyDeleteI certainly would have to agree with your emphasis on checking labels. As a mother packing school lunches every day it is becoming increasingly important to make my own 'convenience foods' at home - at least I know what I'm putting in my muesli bars and sandwiches. And we know a limited diet of fruit combined with less physical activity is creating those pudgy stomachs on children and adults alike.
And yes, it seems there are a lot more people living on a gluten-free diet nowadays, evident by the extensive choices in cafes and restaurants.
Sacha :)