Tricky Labels...and Sugar.

If you’re confused by food labels, you’re not alone.

What the Mamas of MRL are comparing on these bean labels is the sugar!

I snapped this photo on my iphone at the grocery store. I was livid! I felt defiled knowing I spent 3 months on my "new eating" program buying whatever bean was on sale but not checking the sugar content! I was adding an extra serving (or two or three!!!) of the reccomended daily value just in my BEANS! Beans--seriously?!?!

Adults should aim for only 6 teaspons of sugar a day. Most eat at least 12 teaspoons.

Aim for 6.. but most eat AT LEAST 12: that is double....in case you hadn't thought that through! ;) Sugar is listed in grams on a food label, but just how many grams are in 1 teaspoon?

There are between 4-5 grams in 1 teaspoon.

Guess how many grams are in a healthy "green labled" organic yogurt? Typically 30g in a serving.

So that is your daily value there. Stop with your breakfast friends!

But seriously, how much sugar is hiding in processed food you eat or worse yet sent in your child's lunch box!?

I'm not trying to judge you or make you feel bad, but simply bring enlightenment to the subject. If a simple food such as garbonzo beans can have added sugar, how much more can your childs snacks?

The two types of beans pictured above have varying degrees of sugar. The one on the left has 5 grams per serving (a teaspoon!) and the one on the right has 1 gram of sugar. The beans contain 3.5 servings in the can. So if I eat the whole can... i'm consuming more than half of my daily allowance of sugar! WHAT?! why the heck do you add sugar to beans!?!!!!

So, I stick to the better choice. I buy the one on the right. I pay more. I am a MRL .... I have accountability even though I am limited to a budget... I pay more.

As a result of being a label-reading Mama I have saved myself some extra immunity (sugar depletes the immune system!) and some weight gain (its the sugar and insulin that makes us gain weight). I now opt for the brand of beans that costs me the "six-pack tax" I pay more for healthier food that helps me live a better life.

Where I win: I buy the grocery store "out of house and home" when they are on sale!

Or at least see what $20 will get me!

Simplicity trick:

Stick to reading the labels a few times for different items and buy the brand that has the least ammount of sugar, ingedients, chemicals, preservatives, and trans fats (if listed). Once you have read the labels comparing the good versus evil beans (or soup, noodles, milk, cheese, ANYTHING!) don't do it again.

Resolve to sticking to buying the brand that makes the better option, or bean!

"BUY-COTT" with your dollars Mama! Sugar in BEANS?!? SERIOUSLY!

See what Sandra Jones had to share with us on tricky labels below!

"Marketers use a variety of tricks to make foods seem healthier and more appealing than their competitors, particularly when it comes to products aimed at children."

One of the most powerful advertising tools a food manufacturer has is the packaging, as it’s what we look at immediately before deciding which food to purchase.

Jones adivses the next time you’re shopping for food, look out for these common labelling tricks:

1) Sneaky Labeling

The color of food packaging can influence our perceptions of how healthy a food is.

A recent study found consumers’ perceptions of two identical chocolate bars were influenced by the color of the nutrition label; despite the identical calorie information, people perceived the one with the green label to be healthier.

2) "Weasel Words"

Food packaging often contains words that imply the food contains certain ingredients, or has been prepared in a way, that makes it healthier (or at least better than similar foods).

But many of the words – such as “healthy” or “natural” – have no legal or formal meaning. “Weasel claims” describe modifiers that negate the claims that follow them. This allows manufacturers to avoid allegations of breaching advertising or labelling regulations, while being such a commonly used word that it is overlooked by the consumer.

For example, Activia “can” help to reduce digestive discomfort - but did you read the fine print? It “can” help if you eat it twice a day and “… as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle”.

3) Irrelevant claims

A common strategy is to list a claim that is, in itself, completely true – but to list it in a way that suggests that this product is unique or unusual (when in reality it is no different to most foods in that category).

“All natural” and “no artificial colors and flavors” are appealing features for parents looking for snacks for their children. But most standard cheeses (including many packaged products such as cheese slices) also contain no artificial colours of flavours.

So ultimately, it's important for you to check labels yourself Mamas, because that sneaky sugar is lurking everywhere! Best of luck! ~Sarah

Sources:

(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2811041/Did-know-one-glass-apple-juice-SEVEN-teaspoons-sugar-healthy-fat-free-yogurt-contains-five.html)