Smart Woman: Non-So Healthy Foods
By: Bob Bartlett
Updated: March 20, 2012
You want to eat better, so you start reading food packages. But are all
items touted as healthy, really good for you? Dietitians say, not
really. The ingredients on the labels tell the truth. The one most
prominent is listed first.
"So you want that first ingredient to be a healthy ingredient," said nutritionist Katherine Tallmadge.
Some so-called healthy items that experts say fall short of being healthy are, multi-grain items, many of these products are loaded with white flour.
"Studies show people who eat too much white flour, processed ingredients, have more diabetes, cancer, and are more overweight," said Tallmadge.
Look for whole grains as being the first ingredient in the product.
And vitamin drinks, "Are basically soft drinks with a vitamin pill," said Tallmadge.
Vitamin drinks and sports drinks are full of fructose, or sugar, and many other extra vitamins, experts say, the body doesn't process. Many have the same amount of calories found in a soda.
And chips?
Tallmadge said, "If on the label it says low-fat, baked not fried, popped not fried or baked, people are attracted to those products and think they are healthy. Ain't necessarily so."
Things to look out for, next time you go to the store.
"So you want that first ingredient to be a healthy ingredient," said nutritionist Katherine Tallmadge.
Some so-called healthy items that experts say fall short of being healthy are, multi-grain items, many of these products are loaded with white flour.
"Studies show people who eat too much white flour, processed ingredients, have more diabetes, cancer, and are more overweight," said Tallmadge.
Look for whole grains as being the first ingredient in the product.
And vitamin drinks, "Are basically soft drinks with a vitamin pill," said Tallmadge.
Vitamin drinks and sports drinks are full of fructose, or sugar, and many other extra vitamins, experts say, the body doesn't process. Many have the same amount of calories found in a soda.
And chips?
Tallmadge said, "If on the label it says low-fat, baked not fried, popped not fried or baked, people are attracted to those products and think they are healthy. Ain't necessarily so."
Things to look out for, next time you go to the store.
