Are you interested in making healthier choices in the food you purchase?

 Food Marketing is reaching new levels of deception.  Terms like "healthy", "high in fibre", "smart choice" require relatively low levels of nutrition.  Though the packaging and labeling might initially attract your attention, before you choose a product, look carefully at the list of ingredients.  Ingredients must be included in order of proportion.  When looking at a product packaged to indicate that it is a "healthier choice", ensure that the healthy ingredients are at the top of the ingredient list.

A supposed healthy, high-fibre breakfast cereal with ingredients: refined or bleached flour, sugar, ... whole grains, might contain the 4 grams per serving of fibre needed to qualify as high fibre, but is of questionable health value overall...

I was surprised to confirm that Kraft Light Penaut Butter contained corn dextrin, sugar, and hydrogenated vegetable oil, 2,3, and 5 in it's list of ingredients.  Compare that to the no-name Peanut Butter sold in Walmart (some grocers and/or bulk food stores allow you to make fresh peanut butter from peanuts, and nothing else - though it might not last as long in your cupboard, do you want to guess which would probably be the healthier choice?) and you might find how important it is to read beyond the packaging and labeling down to the list of ingredients.  I do not want to initiate a debate over the relative worth of maltodextrins here, but want you to be aware of, educate your self, and make a good choice for you and your family.

Another good rule of thumb to help steer you clear of the misinformation prevalent in modern labeling.  Consider the source of the nutrients.  Give credit to products where the source of the nutrients are whole or unprocessed fruits and vegetables over those products whose nutrients originate from man-made sources.

There are many healthy choices out there, you just have to look beyond the glitz and the packaging!

Happy and Healthy shopping!!