Reading Labels: Sugar Where it Doesn’t Belong

You may think you know how much sugar you are eating, but if you buy ready made foods, even in so called health-food stores, you may be consuming more sugar than you ever imagined.

Why wait for dessert when you can have sugar at every course?  Buying processed foods may mean you are bathing your body in a constant stream of sugar, whether you are finishing your meal with a slice of cake or not.

Organic chicken broth

Chicken broth is made from chicken, spices, herbs and water.  If you’ve never made it before, or have stopped making it in favor of the convenience that packaged broth offers, please consider dusting off your stock pot (or buying one…they are cheap) and making your own.  It’s economical, tastes great, you can store it in glass jars in the freezer in the sizes you actually use, and you won’t have to worry about consuming completely absurd and unnecessary ingredients, like the evaporated cane juice, found in this brand. Who on earth puts sugar in chicken broth? Apparently, Whole Foods.

Fresh pasta

Fresh ravioli are so delicious, and how convenient to grab a gourmet package like this one.  Fresh lemon pasta, filled with goat cheese, spinach and olives…lovely!  All I want to know is, why does corn syrup show up in the ingredients list?

Cutting corners

Don’t sacrifice your health for convenience.  If you don’t want to participate in the global rise in obesity, diabetes and chronic illness, take control of what you put in your body.
  • Cook from scratch.  It’s not that hard, and totally worth it. Your health is worth it.
  • Read labels.  Every label. You may think you are completely safe buying a simple thing like broth, especially when it has that compelling Organic label on it.  Organic does not mean “good for you.”  Read all labels and reject anything that doesn’t belong.
  • If you are going to buy processed foods, choose small, artisanal brands, preferably local.  Read the labels.  Do some research to make sure that the artisan is using quality, sustainably sourced ingredients, as well as healthy cooking processes.
We can’t afford to be passive consumers.

Learn to cook from scratch

The Elliott Homestead: From Scratch: Traditional, whole-foods dishes for easy, everyday meals From Scratch: An Introduction to French Breads, Cheeses, Preserves, Pickles, Charcuterie, Condiments, Yogurts, Sweets, and More Better From Scratch: Delicious DIY Foods to Start Making at Home