a quick 2 cents about reading the labels

taso42_DELETED
taso42_DELETED Posts: 3,394 Member
edited September 26 in Food and Nutrition
Always read the ingredients and nutritional info labels for anything you buy.

I used to never do this, for mainly 2 reasons: 1: I was lazy and couldn't be bothered. 2. I was ignorant and didn't even know what I was or wasn't looking for on these labels.

Well, regarding #1, I'm still lazy, but not about nutrition and fitness. And if you're on this site, you probably feel the same way about it. So the laziness excuse is now out of the way.

Regarding #2, part of the problem was all these crazy sounding ingredient names. Some are considered harmful, while others sound scary but aren't even bad. I thought it would be too overwhelming of a task to go and learn about every possible additive and ingredient to the foods I buy. Well, again, we're on this site, so might have some knowledge. We at least have the motivation and we're learning learning more and more every day.

If you don't know what all those weird-sounding ingredients are, then here's a tip: "less is more". The fewer ingredients something has, the better (generally). So, some examples... When buying peanut butter, look for a label lists just "peanuts" in the ingredients. Or possibly "peanuts, salt". When buying sliced turkey breast, look for "turkey", or possibly "turkey, salt". Never trust the "front" of the container where it might say stuff like "All Natural". Always flip to the back and get the real story.

Slowly over time you can research individual ingredients and decide whether you're ok with them. For example, I am currently "ok" with sucralose, but I am trying to limit it; whereas I avoid aspartame. You might take the opposite approach of me, or prefer to avoid both, or prefer to be ok with both. The bottom line is that you're well informed about what you're buying and putting into your body.
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Replies

  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    :flowerforyou: Knowledge is power! :bigsmile:
  • tgh1914
    tgh1914 Posts: 1,036 Member
    Yeah, and most of the time the ones with less ingredients, you don't necessarily lose taste either. I LOVE my natural PB.
  • live2smyle
    live2smyle Posts: 592 Member
    Yet another awesome post Taso...It is good to remind oneself that Rome was not built in a day. Learning all of this can get a bit overwhelming.

    Honestly half the time I give up and stick it back on the shelf, now I will think about your suggestion and look up one or two things that I have been wondering about one at a time!
  • starboardzor
    starboardzor Posts: 312
    Agreed!
  • crazymama2two
    crazymama2two Posts: 867
    something intelligent and full of knowledge on the boards today!! i agree with the less is more for sure. i was taught that awhile ago and like you i was lazy about it...
  • crazymama2two
    crazymama2two Posts: 867
    Yeah, and most of the time the ones with less ingredients, you don't necessarily lose taste either. I LOVE my natural PB.

    definitely agree with you there!!
  • Celo24
    Celo24 Posts: 566 Member
    GREAT post taso!!
  • edorice
    edorice Posts: 4,519 Member
    bump!
  • Shawnalee0703
    Shawnalee0703 Posts: 1,093
    Yeah, and most of the time the ones with less ingredients, you don't necessarily lose taste either. I LOVE my natural PB.
    Although some brands make an "all natural" peanut butter and it actually is only 90% peanuts! lol My peanut butter is truly, ingredients: peanuts. :-D Your's may be too, I am just stating that just because it says "all natural" like Taso says.... doesn't mean it doesn't include a bunch of unneeded oils, salts and sugars. ;)

    Excellent points Taso! :-D
  • DonM46
    DonM46 Posts: 772 Member
    I learned about "all beef bologna" many years ago. My job took me to a packing house, and I pretty much had free reign over the place. When I arrived at the station where this particular product was made, I saw what went into it. Yes, all cow; however, specifically: Nostrils, lips, ears, and eyelids.

    Just yummy!
  • AdamATGATT
    AdamATGATT Posts: 573 Member
    I am Adam, and I support this post.

    :bigsmile:
  • Shawnalee0703
    Shawnalee0703 Posts: 1,093
    I am Adam, and I support this post.

    :bigsmile:
    DITTO.. although I prefer to be called Shawnalee
  • taso42_DELETED
    taso42_DELETED Posts: 3,394 Member
    I learned about "all beef bologna" many years ago. My job took me to a packing house, and I pretty much had free reign over the place. When I arrived at the station where this particular product was made, I saw what went into it. Yes, all cow; however, specifically: Nostrils, lips, ears, and eyelids.

    Just yummy!

    Like that movie where they kept saying, "it's all lips and a**holes". I can't remember what movie that was.
  • TDGee
    TDGee Posts: 2,209 Member
    I learned about "all beef bologna" many years ago. My job took me to a packing house, and I pretty much had free reign over the place. When I arrived at the station where this particular product was made, I saw what went into it. Yes, all cow; however, specifically: Nostrils, lips, ears, and eyelids.

    Just yummy!

    Yeah, Bologna is what we always called "Floor Sweepings" The fact that it's made of everything but the moo, really doesn't bother me though, never has. Yet another reason that round is the shape I'm in.
    Ted
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    Great reminder thanks.
    I was pretty annoyed a few weeks ago when I bought "turkey steaks" in the meat section of the supermarket, then got home and read the label. They were 90% turkey and the rest were various salts as far as I could see. That will teach me!
    I've also discovered that the number of health claims on the front of the package usually increases as the amount of added ingredients and processing does.
  • forthefab5
    forthefab5 Posts: 187 Member
    Agree! Nice post as always :)
  • Jena_72
    Jena_72 Posts: 1,057
    I learned about "all beef bologna" many years ago. My job took me to a packing house, and I pretty much had free reign over the place. When I arrived at the station where this particular product was made, I saw what went into it. Yes, all cow; however, specifically: Nostrils, lips, ears, and eyelids.

    Just yummy!
    :indifferent: :frown: :sick: :cry:
  • Jonesie1984
    Jonesie1984 Posts: 612 Member
    Nicely done taso. And for once everyone agrees..its a beautiful thing.
  • atomdraco
    atomdraco Posts: 1,083 Member
    Ditto! Absolutely agree
  • cedgrenbawden
    cedgrenbawden Posts: 4 Member
    I have become a label reading obsessive...You would not believe the crap they put in baby food!!! (Not that I eat it of course, but I still read the label when I buy for my littlun).
  • PirateJenny
    PirateJenny Posts: 233
    Just a quick word on peanut butter. The fresh ground stuff is generally less expensive and is 100% peanuts and no salt. I used to see fresh ground PB only in health food stores, but now I am seeing the do-it-yourself grinders in conventional stores like Safeway and WinCo (regional chain). You can bring your own jars and cut down on waste, too. Many have almond butter grinders, too, but that will run into a bit of money for a pint container.

    I have been a long-time label reader because of allergies, vegetarianism and plain curiosity. Pre-packed "health" foods (fake meats, especially) can be some of the worst culprits for hiding food additives.
  • peteyTwang
    peteyTwang Posts: 250
    Good post TASO! one tricky one we _really_ have to watch out for is the FAKE serving size
    where they make you think that portion is one serving when it's actually several
  • 123456654321
    123456654321 Posts: 1,311 Member
    +1
  • anubis609
    anubis609 Posts: 3,966 Member
    I demand dihydrogen monoxide and deoxyribonucleic acid in my organic apples! :angry:
  • robin52077
    robin52077 Posts: 4,383 Member
    After I joined here and started reading labels I found out most BREAD on the supermarket shelf contains High Fructose Corn Syrup... BREAD! I now specifically buy one without. (Arnold Healthy Multigrain Bread, it's awesome)
  • taso42_DELETED
    taso42_DELETED Posts: 3,394 Member
    After I joined here and started reading labels I found out most BREAD on the supermarket shelf contains High Fructose Corn Syrup... BREAD! I now specifically buy one without. (Arnold Healthy Multigrain Bread, it's awesome)

    Bread is overwhelming. If I'm in an unfamiliar grocery store without my usual brands of bread, it takes me ages to sort through and find something decent. Not always easy to find. No wonder bread gets a bad rap.
  • crazymama2two
    crazymama2two Posts: 867
    I learned about "all beef bologna" many years ago. My job took me to a packing house, and I pretty much had free reign over the place. When I arrived at the station where this particular product was made, I saw what went into it. Yes, all cow; however, specifically: Nostrils, lips, ears, and eyelids.


    OMFG...dayum...another food nixed - altho it really should ahve been nixed ages ago.
    Just yummy!
  • mberi66
    mberi66 Posts: 17 Member
    (Arnold Healthy Multigrain Bread, it's awesome)
    Just learned about this today from a friend. I'm a bread lover so I'll have to check this stuff out.
  • lgarrett8
    lgarrett8 Posts: 5
    I have been reading labels for a long time. This is why I go to the store alone so I can read them. I love chocolate candy and reading the labels is the only thing stopping me from buying all the Easter candy I see. It packs a lot of calories and fat to be so small.
  • Shawnalee0703
    Shawnalee0703 Posts: 1,093
    After I joined here and started reading labels I found out most BREAD on the supermarket shelf contains High Fructose Corn Syrup... BREAD! I now specifically buy one without. (Arnold Healthy Multigrain Bread, it's awesome)

    Bread is overwhelming. If I'm in an unfamiliar grocery store without my usual brands of bread, it takes me ages to sort through and find something decent. Not always easy to find. No wonder bread gets a bad rap.
    DAVE'S KILLER ALL THE WAY! ;) Taso I am the same way... I HUNT until I am happy enough! haha
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