There are a lot of label hounds out there. Some people won’t buy a pair of shoes or a handbag without the D&B branding all over them, and others simply must have the 7 For All Mankind signature stitching on their jeans pockets. Lately though, another kind of label-conscious consumer is becoming prevalent: the food label scrutinizer. You see these folks in the grocery store aisles more and more these days. They’re the ones carefully scanning the label of each product before tossing it into their grocery cart. This is a great thing, because more people thinking about what they’re putting in their carts, means more people thinking about what they’re putting into their bodies.
But do you really understand what you’re reading on the food labels? Some ingredients, like “sugar” might seem simple enough to understand, but many of us don’t know the whole story behind some of these apparently self-explanatory ingredients. For example, did you know that if you’re following a vegetarian diet, white sugar shouldn’t be on your list? Most processed white sugar is filtered through bone char as part of the bleaching process. That’s something that isn’t required on labels, and many people aren’t aware of it.
Even for those not following a specific diet and just trying to eat better or be more conscious of animal welfare, it’s important to know the story behind what you’re reading on those labels. So, following are some common label terms and what they really mean.
BHA – (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) An antioxidant used in both foods and food packaging for slowing the development of off-flavors caused by oxidation. Often used in conjunction with bht. BHA is listed as a known carcinogen in the state of California. May cause tumors; possible neurotoxicant, gastrointestinal or liver toxicant, and skin toxicant.
BHT – (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) Also an antioxidant used in both foods (particularly those foods containing fats and oils) and food packaging for slowing the development of off-flavors caused by oxidation. Often used in conjunction with bha. May cause tumors; Possible carcinogen.
Cage-Free – An unregulated term used for eggs laid by hens that were raised without cages. Implies hens were raised with more room for natural behaviors, however hens may or may not have access to the outdoors. In fact, some egg farms selling “cage-free” eggs have been known to keep chickens in very poor, over-crowded conditions not much better than cages.
High Fructose Corn Syrup – Liquid sweetener processed from corn starch. Tastes sweeter and is less costly than sucrose. Besides sweetening, it’s used to improve texture and increase shelf stability. HFCS may increase risk for diabetes and obesity. May be toxic to the liver. Classified as a natural ingredient by the FDA.
Fair Trade – Fair trade certification ensures a product was produced by farmers and farm workers who receive fair wages, safe working conditions, and protection under democratic social policies. Fair Trade engages in sustainable farming and currently operates in 58 developing countries across Asia, Latin America, and Africa. FLO-CERT, an independent and international certification company, is responsible for inspection and certification.
Carmine/Cochineal – Also listed as Cochineal Extract or Carminic Acid. An intense reddish dye obtained by an aqueous extraction from the dried and ground bodies of a female scale insect Dactylopius coccus costa.
Olestra – A non-digestible sugar-based compound used as a fat substitute. Its molecules cannot be absorbed by the body, and therefore pass through the digestive system without adding calories or fat. Olestra, used under the trade name Olean, may induce laxative effects and abdominal cramping, and it inhibits the body’s absorption of vitamins A, D, E, K, and other nutrients.
Of course there are hundreds (or thousands) of other label terms to be aware of, so check out this glossary of food label terms to get the full scoop. Learning to take care of yourself by watching what you eat might take some time at first, but the dividends will pay off for a lifetime. As a chiropractor, I’m concerned with all aspects of your health. So get in touch with our office if you have questions about any facet of health and find out how chiropractic care can enhance your health for life.
Spend much time at all around a good chiropractor’s office and you’re bound to hear a word spoken pretty often that you’ll almost never here in an MD’s office. That word is “Wellness.” But what exactly is wellness, and how does the use of this word set chiropractors apart from many other health professionals?
There has been a lot of buzz about “superfoods” for a while now, but exactly what are they? Generally, a superfood is a food that has the ability to significantly reduce your risk of contracting certain diseases due to its nutrient content or protective abilities. Some superfoods have even been shown to enhance mood, and there are people who even claim they have healing or curing effects. This makes sense, as most of the foods known as superfoods contain a very high antioxidant level, and antioxidants are known to protect against cell damage and aid in cellular repair.
Have you ever thought about the fact that gravity is constantly pulling on your body? It better be, or you’d fly off the Earth! So how does your body deal with the constant pressure from this invisible force? The body’s natural structure is such that it allows you to function without irritation or imbalance. This structure is what allows us to walk, run, stand, and sit with less stress. Your body’s structure is evident in your posture. Through your spine’s development, through birth and onward, it develops a shape that will lend stability your body needs to resist the force of gravity.