Day 97

Food Phrases –

“All Natural” – Not only does ‘all natural’ have no legal definition, there are no rules set by the FDA regulating what food companies must do to call a product all natural. It’s basically a marketing term. Wow! Pretty misleading information for the consumer!

“No added sugar” – It doesn’t mean its sugar free, just that there wasn’t any extra sugar added. On some products, the ‘no sugar added’ versions actually have more sugar than the original product. Read the labels carefully!

“Reduced Fat” – Simply means the product has at least 25 percent less fat than the original product.  Keep in mind there are ‘reduced fat’ doughnuts which still have a significant amount of fat in them.

“Free Range” This term is used most with chickens and when you see ‘free range’ you imagine them roaming freely all day in the bright sunshine, but no. Free range chickens may only spend a few minutes a day outside. Again, very misleading to the consumer.

The bottom line is you need to read the labels carefully and be knowledgeable of the ‘terms’ used in food labeling. Big companies are in the business of making money and if they can do that by using fancy food phrases that trick the consumer into buying foods they “think” are healthier for them, they will do it.

·         Thought for the day

Be thankful when you don’t know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.