Are these ingredients safe?

Freidon
Freidon Posts: 169 Member
in Food and Nutrition
The one thing I haven't given up since I began dieting is a certain instant coffee mix. Considering I drink three cups of this a day (two servings), I'm curious to see how bad of a treat this is. While I've been counting calories for a while, I know next to nothing about safe/nonsafe ingredients when it comes to looking at labels

SUGAR, CREAMER, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL, (COCONUT, CANOLA AND SOYBEAN OILS), CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, SODIUM CASEINATE (A MILK DERIVATIVE), DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, SUGAR, WHEY MALTODEXTRIN, MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, SILICON DIOXIDE, SODIUM SILICOALUMINATE, SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, SOY LECITHIN, COLORED WITH (ANNATTO, TURMERIC), ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, NONFAT DRY MILK, INSTANT COFFEE, SWEET DAIRY WHEY, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, COCOA (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), SODIUM ALUMINOSILICATE (TO PREVENT CAKING), CELLULOSE GUM SALT. CONTAINS: MILK, SOY

Anyone more knowledgeable about nutrition willing to offer some advice?
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Replies

  • CM9178
    CM9178 Posts: 1,251 Member
    I'm no expert, but seeing that Sugar is the first ingredient listed, that means it is the main ingredient - and that's never a good thing for your diet.
    Also, I believe Partially Hydrogenated vegatable oil is bad for you. Again, not an expert.
  • Freidon
    Freidon Posts: 169 Member
    There's 100 calories and 10 grams of sugar for a cup and a half of coffee. It's a bit steep, but I'm willing to fit it into my macros. For whatever reason, the coffee seems to ward of cravings for a while, which helps me from going over my calories. Plus it has a handy dandy energy boost for finals...

    Thank you for mentioning the vegetable oil. I didn't even see that.
  • n0ob
    n0ob Posts: 2,390 Member
    safe? yes, those ingredients are safe for human consumption. Anybody arguing otherwise doesn't understand the meaning of the world safe.

    Not commenting on what you meant, just what you asked...
  • Freidon
    Freidon Posts: 169 Member
    Thanks. I know next to nothing about the processed foods/ "dangerous" ingredients scare. While I think some of it is over-hyped, this coffee mix is something I consume every day. Just wanted to stay on the cautious side.
  • waldo56
    waldo56 Posts: 1,861 Member
    It will probably cause inflammation and insulin spikes.
  • Kitship
    Kitship Posts: 579 Member
    Sure it's safe. That doesn't mean you should eat/drink it though. Try to steer clear of food that has ingredients you can't pronounce/don't know what the ingredient is off the top of your head.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    It's entirely up to you, but in my diet, this is the one thing I avoid at all costs:

    PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL
  • sunnyside1213
    sunnyside1213 Posts: 1,205 Member
    I'm no expert, but seeing that Sugar is the first ingredient listed, that means it is the main ingredient - and that's never a good thing for your diet.
    Also, I believe Partially Hydrogenated vegatable oil is bad for you. Again, not an expert.

    Partially Hydrogenated = Trans Fat.
  • eidc
    eidc Posts: 79 Member
    Why would you want to put things that a person can barely pronounce, into your body? If your grandma or great-grandma(depending on your age) would't recognize it don't eat or drink it!
  • Lobster1987
    Lobster1987 Posts: 492 Member
    you could do better
  • BritneysStuntDouble
    BritneysStuntDouble Posts: 849 Member
    Tasty, tasty chemicals. Add some dihydrogen monoxide for some chemical deliciousness.
  • DoomCakes
    DoomCakes Posts: 806 Member
    The one thing I haven't given up since I began dieting is a certain instant coffee mix. Considering I drink three cups of this a day (two servings), I'm curious to see how bad of a treat this is. While I've been counting calories for a while, I know next to nothing about safe/nonsafe ingredients when it comes to looking at labels

    SUGAR, CREAMER, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL, (COCONUT, CANOLA AND SOYBEAN OILS), CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, SODIUM CASEINATE (A MILK DERIVATIVE), DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, SUGAR, WHEY MALTODEXTRIN, MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, SILICON DIOXIDE, SODIUM SILICOALUMINATE, SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, SOY LECITHIN, COLORED WITH (ANNATTO, TURMERIC), ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, NONFAT DRY MILK, INSTANT COFFEE, SWEET DAIRY WHEY, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, COCOA (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), SODIUM ALUMINOSILICATE (TO PREVENT CAKING), CELLULOSE GUM SALT. CONTAINS: MILK, SOY

    Anyone more knowledgeable about nutrition willing to offer some advice?

    Safe, like you won't die? Sure.
    Safe, as in helping you maintain your well being? Questionable...

    First ingredient is sugar, so that there says it's a main ingredient. I actually see sugar itself written twice. Plus corn syrup (basically sugar). Sweet dairy (sounds like more sugary stuff), more corn syrup... you might as well just get some sugar wet with milk.... even then, that's better then a lot of this articial stuff in there.
  • BaconMD
    BaconMD Posts: 1,165 Member
    you could do better
    Yes, a nice, plain cup of black coffee, freshly-roasted, high-quality beans, ground just prior to brewing...

    If it's crap coffee to begin with, you need to add something to make it palatable. But once you've tried good coffee black, adding anything actually makes it less good. I know, I didn't believe it either until I tried it.
  • dansls1
    dansls1 Posts: 309 Member
    If you drink 3 cups of coffee a day, brew a pot and add milk / cream and sugar, it will be much better for you.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    For whatever reason, the coffee seems to ward of cravings for a while, which helps me from going over my calories.

    That will be the sugar warding it off. They are empty calories, if you want sugar & something that WILL be better....grab an apple. Has the sugar to stop the craving & WILL keep you full a little better.
  • irishcream4u2
    irishcream4u2 Posts: 11 Member
    I replaced a similar drink desire with mugs filled with very hot water, throughout the day.

    What I'd actually been missing was the nurturing warmth drink offered. Dr. Deepak Chopra recommends drinking hot water....as hot as you'd drink your coffee/other flavored hot beverage. It totally worked for me!! Now I drink 3-5 cups of hot water throughout my day---completely calorie free!!!

    I suppose some of it might be mind over matter...."This nurturing hot cup of water hydrates and energizes my body as it squelches my cravings." :drinker:

    Also, I have read numerous sources that suggest eating/drinking food with no more than three ingredients listed on the label and that I must be able to pronounce/understand each one. If I can't speak it, I shouldn't put it in my mouth.

    Best of luck with kicking this habit. YOU CAN DO IT!!!! :flowerforyou:
  • BroiledNotFried
    BroiledNotFried Posts: 446 Member
    We have to take changes in little steps. If it is helping you stay on an otherwise heathy diet, then don't change it. If you want to change it, you can. My favorite is almond milk in my coffee. It adds a nutty flavor. Also, soy milk is good too. I don't add any sugar when I use these products as they also have sugar.

    I hate artificial sweetener in my coffee, as it's bitter to me.

    If all I have is milk, then I add a teaspoon of sugar.
  • BritneysStuntDouble
    BritneysStuntDouble Posts: 849 Member
    Also, I have read numerous sources that suggest eating/drinking food with no more than three ingredients listed on the label and that I must be able to pronounce/understand each one. If I can't speak it, I shouldn't put it in my mouth.
    Oh, it just takes practice to learn to read them. Don't be intimidated by the long words. YOU CAN DO IT!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Limit or avoid anything that contains PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL or HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL (no matter what type of vegetable). These are trans fats and the worst type of fat for you.
  • Cranktastic
    Cranktastic Posts: 1,517 Member
    Also, I have read numerous sources that suggest eating/drinking food with no more than three ingredients listed on the label and that I must be able to pronounce/understand each one. If I can't speak it, I shouldn't put it in my mouth.
    Oh, it just takes practice to learn to read them. Don't be intimidated by the long words. YOU CAN DO IT!

    Practice makes perfect they say.
  • Freidon
    Freidon Posts: 169 Member
    Thanks for the input, everyone! I've managed to lose half of my goal weight still drinking it, but as I'm getting closer I've been reexamining what treats to keep every now and then and which ones to cut completely. I've cut the others no problem, but this one's stuck. I thought it was ok, as I drink only this and water, but apparently not...

    I've run out a couple times. The longest I've been without it was for about two weeks....the extra two hundred calories ( I drink one in the morning, one in the evening) was nice to add back in, but I craved like crazy for the entire time. I replaced it with two apples, thinking it was the sugar, but it didn't seem to help. I kept to my calorie intake, but I'm not sure I would have made it through Thanksgiving as well as I did without it. And with Christmas coming....

    I've considered replacing it with black coffee. Believe it or not, I prefer my coffee black rather than adding sugar or milk; this instant coffee mix has been the exception. The only problem is that black coffee makes me jittery as all get out. I like that warm water, idea, though.....
  • Freidon
    Freidon Posts: 169 Member
    "Limit or avoid anything that contains PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL or HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL (no matter what type of vegetable). These are trans fats and the worst type of fat for you."

    That's where I'm confused. The label says 0% trans fat. I think I've heard that they're allowed to round down if it has less than .5% trans fat....maybe that's where it's hidden? Thanks for pointing that out.
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member
    It will probably cause inflammation and insulin spikes.

    If the OP has been drinking 3 a day and this hasn't happend so far... I'm pretty sure it probably won't.

    OP: If you are concerned, then you should cut back. Otherwise, just be sure to log it!
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  • scapez
    scapez Posts: 2,018 Member
    Why not just have normal coffee?
  • Freidon
    Freidon Posts: 169 Member
    It will probably cause inflammation and insulin spikes.

    If the OP has been drinking 3 a day and this hasn't happend so far... I'm pretty sure it probably won't.

    OP: If you are concerned, then you should cut back. Otherwise, just be sure to log it!

    I do! I make sure to log all liquid calories. I actually drink two servings worth of mix in 3 cups. As far as I know, it hasn't happened.

    I guess I'm really just wondering if there's any reason for me to be concerned. If it's something that helps me not to overeat and keeps me awake when I'm studying for finals, I'm cool with it. If it's something that's encouraging me to overeat when I'm not drinking it, and has questionable ingredients that I should be wary of, I want to eventually cut it out.
  • VeganZombie13
    VeganZombie13 Posts: 297
    CORN SYRUP <
    nope I wouldn't eat it..
  • fit_spired_vicky
    fit_spired_vicky Posts: 152
    Sugar, sugar and... sugar. Corn syrup solids is sugar also...
  • kaylalryan
    kaylalryan Posts: 136 Member
    The one thing I haven't given up since I began dieting is a certain instant coffee mix. Considering I drink three cups of this a day (two servings), I'm curious to see how bad of a treat this is. While I've been counting calories for a while, I know next to nothing about safe/nonsafe ingredients when it comes to looking at labels

    SUGAR, CREAMER, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL, (COCONUT, CANOLA AND SOYBEAN OILS), CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, SODIUM CASEINATE (A MILK DERIVATIVE), DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, SUGAR, WHEY MALTODEXTRIN, MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, SILICON DIOXIDE, SODIUM SILICOALUMINATE, SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, SOY LECITHIN, COLORED WITH (ANNATTO, TURMERIC), ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, NONFAT DRY MILK, INSTANT COFFEE, SWEET DAIRY WHEY, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, COCOA (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), SODIUM ALUMINOSILICATE (TO PREVENT CAKING), CELLULOSE GUM SALT. CONTAINS: MILK, SOY

    Anyone more knowledgeable about nutrition willing to offer some advice?

    I don't believe that this is a "safe" product. No, you shouldn't die from it... buts its certainly not healthy either.

    Reasons:
    Top three ingredients:
    Sugar = not so great.
    Creamer? What is creamer? I doubt that is "cream" from a cow... is it that powder non dairy stuff?
    Partially Hydrogenated Oils are bad. They are the kind of oils that stick to your insides and raise cholesterol.
    From there on... most of the ingredients are chemical additives and totally un-natural.

    If you look at the correlation between obesity/disease and the introduction of many of these crappy ingredients into our diets... it's pretty scary. Personally, I would not put this is my body.... but like I said, it will most likely not kill you!
  • Freidon
    Freidon Posts: 169 Member
    Considering I drink three cups of this a day (two servings),

    3 = 2??? who knew

    Sorry for the confusion. Each serving is three tablespoons worth, and is meant to be mixed with one cup of water. Instead, to stretch it out a little further, I use three tablespoons for a cup and a half of water. I have it twice a day, so two servings for three cups.
    Why not just have normal coffee?

    For whatever reason, normal coffee makes me extremely jittery, which is a problem when I'm confined to a desk for most of the day. I'm guessing this mix has less caffeine than your average coffee.

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