| IVL Products Health Watch - All That Glitters Is Not Gold |
| The Official IVL Products Health Blog |
Dear Reader,
In order to capture the attention of health-conscious
consumers, many manufacturers have resorted to what can only
be called label trickery. Package front labels that boldly
identify a product as heart healthy, low fat, enriched or
light can be very confusing for consumers who are trying to
make healthy food choices for their families.
Although the FDA regulates the small "official" nutrition
label on the back of a product, manufacturers can say
basically anything they want on the front label. In fact,
when you look at the FDA regulated nutrition facts on the
back you might wonder if the two labels even belong on the
same product. According to Kerry McLeod, author of "The Last
Diet Book Standing," consumers should speed read the front
label and then go straight to the nutrition facts. She
offers the following phrases as "red flags" to consumers:
* Fortified, enriched, added, extra and plus. This
means nutrients such as minerals and fiber have been removed
and vitamins were added in processing. Look for 100%
whole-wheat bread and high-fiber, low-sugar cereals.
* Fruit drink. This means there's probably little or no
real fruit and a lot of sugar. Look for products that say
100% fruit juice.
* Made with wheat, rye or multigrains. These products
probably have very little whole grain. Look for the word
"whole" before the grain to ensure that you are purchasing a
100% whole-grain product.
* Natural. The manufacturer started out with a natural
source, but once it's processed the food may not resemble
anything natural. Look for "100% All Natural" and "No
Preservatives."
* Organically grown, pesticide free or no artificial
ingredients. Look for labels that say "Certified Organically
Grown."
Read all of the ingredients on the nutrition label,
especially if you have food allergies. Ingredients are
listed in the order of how much is in the product from most
to least. Beware of hidden sugars in the form of syrup,
fructose and sucrose combinations. Any ingredient that
includes "chloride" is most likely some form of salt, so if
you are trying to reduce your salt intake, stay away from
those products.
Be sure to check the calories and fat per serving size.
Also, be sure you clearly understand how much is included in
a "serving size" because it is usually smaller than you
think it is. If you double the servings you eat, you double
the calories as well as the nutrients. Make your calories
count. Look at the calories on the label and compare them
with what nutrients you are getting to decide if a food is a
good choice. In order to call itself "healthy," the FDA
requires a food must be low in fat, saturated fat,
cholesterol and sodium. If it is a single item food it must
provide at least 10 percent or more of the daily value of
Vitamins A or C, iron, calcium, protein or fiber.
So the next time you go shopping for food, don't be taken in
by misleading claims on the front label. Read the nutrition
label to be sure you are getting the healthiest food
choices.
Yours in good health,
Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch
|
Visit our Health Forum and ask a question of one of the
country's leading experts in nutritional medicine. |
| Dr. Mikles is a Board Certified Internist,
and is the Medical Director of Choices Integrative
Healthcare Clinic in Sedona, Arizona. For more than 30
years, Dr. Mikles has been engaged in the study and practice
of the therapeutic effects of diet and nutrition, making him
one of the country's leading experts. |
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