The Practical Nutritionist, LLC

Audrey J Pellegrino, M. Ed, M. HN

Holistic Nutritionist/Educator

603-768-3214

practicalnutrition@gmail.com

I Know What It Says But What Does It Mean?

Ah, the world of food labeling. It says one thing but may really mean another. As the competition for the market on organic and natural foods becomes fiercer the labeling becomes more confusing. There are a few tips to help you decipher food labels and ingredient lists:

1) Ingredients are listed in their quantity amounts. What is listed first is what the food has the most of and as the ingredients go down the list so do their percentages in the food.

2) Sugar has twenty common names and MSG has twelve common names, other than sugar or Monosodium Glutamate, they have many more uncommon names as well. If a food ingredient, enhancer, flavor or preservative upsets your balance or you would like to avoid it, do your research and find out the other names it could be listed on a food label.

3) If the package looks natural and is attractive, still check the label. Businesses pay their marketing companies huge money to get a package to look a certain way and appeal to the consumer; don’t buy something because it looks trustworthy or attractive.

4) Do not let the label “Natural” be the only reason you buy a product. Gasoline is natural and you would not drink that. Remember that natural junk food is still junk food.

5) If there are three things on the label that you do not recognize, chances are neither will your body.

6) And the final tip if a food does not have a UPC code it is probably be the best food for you (fruits, vegetables, grains, grains).

I have forty-seven diet books. FORTY-SEVEN! There is a diet out there for everyone and every diet says it is the one that will work. There are low-carbohydrate, High-Carbohydrate, Low-Fat, High-Fat, Cabbage, Grapefruit, Lemon, Fast Food and Water diets. All promise a magic solution, and many work for some people some of the time, but none of them work for all people all of the time. The healthiest thing you can do for your metabolism and diet is to become aware of what you are eating and what it does for your body. You will then be able to decide if the food is a positive food, (giving you more vitamins and minerals than it is using for digesting) or a negative food, (taking more vitamins and minerals from your body to process it than it is giving to you). Take the time to read and compare labels, begin at home in your cupboard or pantry and then continue in the grocery store. An informed you is a healthier you. Happy Reading!