Food Choices From The Label

“Food Choices from the Label”

Today’s economy has consumers looking for all sorts of different ways to cut costs.  People often try to make this cost reduction at the grocery store, and they end up spending less for less nutrition.  Food labels are confusing with serving sizes, price per ounce, organics and over processed foods can all lead to grocery store anxiety when you just want good value for what you are purchasing.  The more health claims I see on a product the more questions I have about how much better this item is.

I happened to be purchasing some burger patties at a local grocery store over a recent holiday and almost fell for the cheaper priced item.  The frozen beef patties were all on sale, but one was just slightly cheaper per ounce.  These were all labeled “Beef Burgers/Beef Patties”.  The cheaper product consisted of “Beef and Textured Protein” as first item on ingredient list.  I put the item back and went with the burger that only listed 100% beef. This was a better choice for a few cents more per ounce.  The less processing an item is put through the more you body will be able to use.   A loaf of bread is a great example that we purchase regularly.  The shelf may contain white, white wheat, whole wheat, half wheat, honey wheat, 7-grain, etc.  Unless I am purchasing a brand I am familiar with, I always pick up the bread and check the actual ingredients.  The first listed ingredients are most important. If you look at the first ingredients and have problems understanding them, it is best to put the food back.  Pick up a different brand of the same type of item, check the ingredients and if they are easy to understand then go with that item.

A wonderful example of confusing ingredients will lie within the chip aisle.  The next time you are buying a bag of chips take a moment and explore different brands ingredient lists.  There is a reason you can’t put some foods down.  Some chips are formulated to make you crave them.  Composed of MSG (monosodium glutamate), dyes and chemicals these all affect your health and eventually your bank account.  Common examples of hidden chemicals reside in ingredients listed as natural flavors, flavoring, hydrolyzed vegetable proteins and anything that has glutamate listed.  Try to find a chip with just a few ingredients and start there.

It is best to make small changes that will last.  Start by finding one item that you purchase regularly and check its ingredient list.  If you have problems with pronouncing that list, then challenge yourself to find a better priced substitute.  You may find yourself eating less quantities of items once you replace them just because they aren’t formulated to make you eat the entire package in one sitting.  Frozen foods, boxed snack cakes, soda and nutrition bars can all be delicious but completely void of nutrients.  If ingested daily, you will be susceptible to following up with health care providers to address the damage they have unknowingly caused.  If you can’t pronounce the ingredients, then put it back.

– This article was written by Aaron Workman, DC one of the members of Chambers Medical Group’s team of car accident chiropractors who offer a variety of treatments and therapies ranging from diagnostic testing to various soft tissue therapies for car accidents and injuries in Kentucky.

If you or somebody you know has been in a car accident, be sure that you seek medical attention from a car accident doctor or car accident chiropractor to treat your injuries. Visit Chambers Medical Group  to receive world-class medical treatment for your injuries.

Chambers Medical Group has car accident medical clinics in the following locations:

• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Tampa
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Plant City
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Brandon
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Lakeland
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Sarasota
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Louisville
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Lexington
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Florence