Feb 5, 2010 10:00 pm US/Central
Nutrition Experts: 'Buyer Beware' With Food Labels
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
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Nutrition labels may not reveal all the calories and fat included in a frozen meal.
CBS
Do you ever wonder what's really in the foods you eat? Some experts are now debunking food label claims and say what you're eating may surprise you. It seems we can't always take foods, on face "label" value.
The terms sugar free, fat free, low calorie and reduced fat, are ones many health conscious shoppers look for. "I'm more likely to buy something that was fat free," one shopper said. Another declared, "I try to eat as healthy as I can."
Different health claims decorate hundreds of food boxes, but many nutritional experts say buyer beware. "You can't believe everything you read," said nutritionist and wellness coach Laura Lewis.
According to Lewis, food labels can often mislead shoppers into thinking products are more healthy, than they actually are.
Lewis says you're going to have to work to find out the truth. "Flip it [package] around and look at the fine print and start really reading."
Consumer Reports' Smart Shop Magazine also advises customers to navigate through manufacturers, often vague, claims by reading.
A big concern, for some, is buying products with less or low sodium. But often the low sodium claim means the product just has less sodium than the 'regular' version. For example, a can of low sodium Hormel Chili still packs 710 mg of sodium per serving, which is 30-percent of your daily allotment.
When it comes to the term "trans-fat-free", Lewis says it isn't the same as zero trans fat.
And the word "natural" on a product doesn't mean much of anything. Lewis looked at the fiber content in a package of Sara Lee Buns. "You flip it over and you read that they have only one gram of fiber and you're really looking for three grams of fiber per serving. Actually all these nutrients will camouflage junk food," she said.
A box of Pop-Tarts had the words "added fiber" on it, but also contains high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oil; both of which, Lewis says can lead to heart disease. "Those are not good for you. You have to really focus in, read through past the advertising claims and make sure you know exactly what's in that product," she suggested.
Mixed berry Nutri-Grain Cereal Bars may sound healthy, but with the high fructose corn syrup, glycerin, and sugar, Lewis says take a pass.
Smart Shop Magazine also lists other guilty or misleading labels like Dannon's Activa yogurt, Country Crock's butter alternative and even Special K's drop a jean size claims.
Nutritionists say don't be in such a rush, look deeper, past the bold lettering, to the fine print and the daily values. Keep in mind that even if your eyes are deceived, your body and heart won't be fooled.
Click here for more information on a guide to help spot bogus labels.
Officials for the maker of Country Crock say they have changed the saturated fat level in their spreads to eliminate artificial trans fats. The new product is expected to be on store shelves in March of this year.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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