What’s in a label?
Written by Mike Cheliak on February 15, 2010 – 10:54 am -I recently found out that I am gluten intolerant. It’s not that “I” am intolerant of gluten…I actually LOVE gluten. Heck…I would have a gluten sandwich for lunch if I could. The problem is my “body” (prick that it is) has decided that it doesn’t like gluten anymore.
OK…all comedy aside (or a poor attempt at it); gluten intolerance is a fairly common problem these days. Celiac disease which is the most serious level of gluten intolerance is an extremely serious health concern.
This brings me to my little note today on labels. I have been a pretty good label reader over the last few years. What I have found since I have had to change my eating habits a great deal is how much CRAP is really in packaged, pre-made and processed food products.
I have to read everything for any sign of gluten, modified starches and so on. It is amazing when you read further into a label just how much garbage you are ingesting. Stabilizers, preservatives, chemicals, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), sodium, modified starches and so on are the cornerstone of most processed food. After all it has to sit on the shelf for a long time without turning bad (unless it is just BAD from the start).
As frustrating as it is to have to dig deep into every label, it has first and foremost opened my eyes even wider and has made me choose to buy almost exclusively foods in their original (or near as possible) state.
Here is a prime example of what I am talking about. There is a HUGE “Health food Market” that focuses on whole foods. Its name rhymes with “SHMOLE SHMOOD SHMARKETS”. A friend on facebook posted a photo of what should be an awesome product. Sweet potatoes and apples! I love sweet potatoes and use them as one of my only choices for starchy carbs. I love apples…one of the best choices for fruits you can make. Here is where it goes VERY wrong!!!
Disclaimer
The following list of ingredients may be offensive to some, reader discretion is advised.
Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Red Onions, Jalapeno Honey, BBQ Sauce (honey, ketchup [tomato, vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, salt, onion, spice]), water, Dijon mustard (mustard seed, vinegar, water, sea salt), sugar, cider vinegar, jalapeno, curry, garlic, lemon, shoyu (water, soybean, salt, wheat, alcohol), Worcestershire (cider vinegar, soy sauce, water, molasses, agave syrup, garlic, salt, tamarind, spices, mushroom, xanthan gum, botanical extracts, cloves, smoke), canola oil, paprika, Tabasco salt and pepper.
Healthy Choice…bullsh**! Anything that has HFCS in it in any amount is a pile of steaming crap. Add to that multiple sources of more sugar, more salt and other pointless ingredients and you have a recipe for junk disguised as health food. SHAME ON YOU SHMOLE SHMOOD SHMARKETS!!!!
I have a better recipe. Go buy some organic grown Sweet potatoes and apples, add some sliced onion and ground nutmeg, and toss with extra virgin olive oil. Season it with a little Celtic Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper. Roast until it’s done.
I decided myself that I would start eating a Primal Blueprint lifestyle instead of fighting with labels. I eat healthy meat and protein choices, vegetables, fruits and healthy fats like seeds, nuts and so on.
The lifestyle is simple, plays on our genetic inclinations which aren’t really suited for grain consumption and also makes label reading a lot easier since there aren’t a lot of labels on real whole food. While the Primal or Paleo or Caveman or hunter/gatherer type regimen isn’t for everyone, it is well worth reading about. Visit http://www.marksdailyapple.com/ to read about the Primal Blueprint if you are interested. Agree or disagree with it, you have to admit…I don’t think Cavemen had to read labels.
In happiness and health as always,
Mike C.
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