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Our friends mean well, they really do.

Most of them respect the fact that we eat try to make healthy food choices, for ourselves and our kids.

We really appreciate it, it is very kind of them.

Last Friday one of Nancy’s good friends was so proud of herself. She brought her kids over for a visit, and as a treat for the kids (we normally only have water and sometimes milk) she brought some ****** **** Berry Punch.

She was so proud of herself for bringing a “healthy” choice.

Nancy didn’t have the heart to tell her the truth.

It was junk, just total garbage.

But is sounded so good.

I mean, look at what it says on the FRONT label:

“All Natural”

“Premium”

It’s go to be good, right!

Not so fast!

I am about to give you the super secret, known only to a few select operatives in the whole world (ok, not really - but you would think so)

You have to look at the label on the BACK!

This is where you have to take some responsibility for what you are eating.

The food companies number one priority is NOT your health - it’s to get you to buy their product.

They will do it by any (legal) means necessary.

Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s moral or ethical - words to live by.

Anyway, let’s look at the BACK label.

Here are the ingredients:

Pure Filtered Water, Sweeteners (high fructose corn syrup, sugar), Grape juice from concentrate, less than 1% of: Pear and Strawberry juices from concentrate, Natural flavors, Citric acid (provides tartness)

Remember the FRONT label - “All Natural”

I have been thinking for two days how something with high fructose corn syrup (as the second ingredient no less) is able to be listed as “All Natural”

If I squeeze a kernel of corn, is that what comes out, high fructose corn syrup? I don’t think so, bubba.

The stuff has no reedeming qualities whatsover. I think the evidence shows that is one of the key “bad players” in the obesity epedimic. It is used because it is cheap, bottom line.

Let’s look at the Nutrition Label.

At the very top: 5% Fruit Juice - yep, that’s it. Your “All Natural, Premium” product is 5% juice, 95% garbage.

No Fat

No Protein

A whopping 31 grams of sugar. That’s like shoveling 8 teaspoons of sugar down little Johnny’s throat. In fact it’s more sugar than in a Snickers bar, for crying out loud.

I think Johnny’s going to be bouncing off the walls.

He will drink water, I assure you. It may take time, but it will pay off.

If you want to make a real impact toward better health, you have to take responsibility.

It takes a little longer to read labels, I understand.

But once you get into the habit, it becomes easier and easier.

Don’t be fooled by fancy slogans and pretty words.

Next time you shop, just pick one item that you think is good for you. Turn the box around and take a look at the label.

You might be surprised by what you find.

It WILL be the first step to a lifetime of healthier choices.

It’s up to you.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 10th, 2008 at 8:17 am and is filed under Blog, Coach's Corner, Nutrition, Weight Loss. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.