Package Label - Tricks!!!

What's on the front of food packages does not always stack up to the nutritional facts on the back. Food labels are merely a secret code that needs deciphering. Many food manufacturers intentionally use miscalculation and confusion on food labels to make their otherwise unhealthy products appear to be healthy.

Here are a few nutritional labels warnings that everyone should beware of:

• “Enriched”,“fortified”, “added”, “extra”, and “plus” This means the product has been processed or changed in some way from it's natural form.
• “Made with wheat,” or “rye,” or “multi-grains” Leads you to believe that it is a quality source of whole grains, but usually do not give an actual number of the amount of whole grain in the product. Look for the word “whole” before the word grain to find actual 100% whole-grain products.
• “Natural” or “made from natural”  This just states that the manufacturer started with a natural source. Once the food was processed, the food may not contain anything “natural.”
• “Organically grown,” “organic,” “pesticide-free,” and “no artificial ingredients” This is not an official organic certification, and means very little. Look for genuine “certified organically grown” product labels.

Who knew?!?!  Be sure to come to a Healthbeat Meeting or check out this week's flyer to learn more.“Fruit drinks” Typically means there is very little, sometimes even less than 1% of real fruit and large amounts of sugar. Search for products that say 100% fruit juice on the label.