Food Labelling Issues
Posted by: looklively
24th Feb 2016 02:21pm
sneakierbiscuit
- 1st Mar 2016 01:42pm
It's a start, and possibly useful for busy people or those not wishing to decipher the full ingredients list and nutritional information. But the presentation of information can be massaged, so I wouldn't put too much stock in it.
I don't always agree with the government's take on what constitutes healthy food. For example, I consider whole milk or yogurt a better option than part-skim any day. The fat helps satisfy us for longer, and I'd generally rather have real food in smaller portions than fake myself out with stuff loaded with gums and other fillers to make it seem as tasty as the real thing.
I don't purchase based on how high or low a product's health star rating is. I check the nutritional label (specifically the numbers for sugars along with fiber and protein, plus sodium, check there are no trans fats, check saturated fats, and overall calorie content. I check what these are per 100g, as well as by portion size (and what the recommended portion size is... sometimes it's comically small!)
I then read all the ingredients. I avoid foods with hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, and other things, such as artificial colors. I look out for sugars with massaged labeling like "dehydrated fruit juice".
Help Caféstudy members by responding to their questions, or ask your own in Café Chat, and you will get the chance of earning extra rewards. Caféstudy will match these and donate equally to our two chosen Australian charities.