As a retail dietitian, I get to check out new products all the time and I always read the food labels. One reason is because customers always ask,” Is this healthy?” or “Is this good for me?”
The following products aren’t “new” but sometimes it’s worth looking at some of the “old” products you have been using for awhile.
Did you know that in the U.S. there is no identity for soy sauce? That means that “soy sauce” can contain various additives. Here are two for you to check out:
- Soy Sauce: water, wheat, soybeans, salt, sodium benzoate (less than 1/10 of 1%)
- Soy Sauce: water, hydrolyzed soy protein, salt, corn syrup, caramel color, potassium sorbate (preservative)
Are you lactose intolerant but are still interested in keeping dairy in your diet? Read these food labels.
- Lactose-free milk: fat-free milk, lactase enzyme, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D3
- Lactose-free milk: reduced fat milk, tribasic calcium phosphate, carrageenan, guar gum, lactase enzyme palmitate, vitamin D3
Salt contains sugar?? This may be the reason some people crave sweet and salty snacks.
- Salt: Pink Salt
- Salt: sea salt, calcium sulfate, dextrose, potassium iodide.
Here is a secret, I love peanut butter, but not all peanut butters are good for you.
- Peanut butter: peanuts, sea salt
- On the front label of peanut butter 2, it states, that is “natural” and you can find out about organic and natural here: peanuts, sugar, palm oil, contains 2% or less of salt, molasses (more sugar)
Yogurt is a healthy “grab and go” food, but some yogurts are equal to candy. Check out these comparisons.
- Yogurt: (plain Greek yogurt) cultured pasteurized skim milk contains five live active cultures including thermophilus, L. Bulgaricus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus and L. Casel. Note: 23g protein and sugars 9 g
- Yogurt: pasteurized Grade A non-fat milk, Fructose, contains 0.5% or less of: corn starch, natural flavor, potassium sorbate added to maintain freshness, yogurt cultures L. bulgaricus, S. themophilus, Acesulfame potassium, Sucralose, Vitamin acetate, vitamin D3 note: 15g protein and sugars 7g
Ingredients on a food label run from most to least. The first 5 ingredients will tell you what you are eating.
Always read the labels on new products but it may be time to visit your old favorites and see if they pass your muster.
So what food label did you read that the ingredients surprised you? Let me know in the comments below. Please share this post!
Hugs and Health,
Maryrose
Maryrose & Thyme 