Do you read your food labels? Or do you just shop without a second thought as to what you buy?
As I get older I DO care more – and over the last year we have seen so many people in our own family with health problems that I feel could have been prevented earlier.
Instead of being reactionary, it’s always a great thing to be precautionary.
We have had our share of personal friends AND family this past 2 years that have had huge health problems. Some are addicted to prescription medicine. Some are addicted to food – to the point that they know their diet is the root of their health problems but it’s too difficult to change. So they rely on a prescription.
Knowing what’s in your food, and what you are putting inside your body is important. Did we always care? Unfortunately no – until we had our own health problems.
Does everyone care? No – everyone does not. Some people have mentioned they don’t want to hear this … they are in this to save (and ONLY to save) .. they don’t want to be told “how to eat” or, “how to spend”. Unfortunately it’s usually not until it’s too late that people start to take an interest in the subject.
So if this food is so bad, then why does the Food Industry continue to promote it as a healthy option? Are they being truthful or is it mostly about profits? Do people realize the concern or do they just continue to operate out of normalcy for what is convenient and easy?
Here are TEN lies the Food Industry Wants you to Believe.
Are there more? Probably – these are what inspired us the most (not to mention nap time was over so we had to cut our writing short!)
1. Junk Food is geared and aimed to marked to kids – with budgets being in the billions, annually.
The FTC mentions that junk food companies make 1.6 billion annually to advertise to your kids through television, internet, in store advertising and sweepstakes (Src). Most ads are for items that are high in calories, sugar, fat and sodium. (Breakfast Cereal? You bet.) You may even see free entrance to venues (LEGOLAND), parks, or even toys if they send in UPC’s.
We also mentioned Box Tops for Ed – and why that’s a little worrisome too.
2. Less processed foods are more filling than their processed counterparts.
Most of the processed foods have been processed so much that they lack the fiber and nutrients necessary to make them comparable to healthy counterparts. Apple Juice is one of the most processed drinks for kids – not to mention the added sweeteners and sugar that might make them appear
3. Food companies earn higher profits on processed food.
Fruits & Veggies don’t earn companies much profit at all.. Our government subsidizes crops including corn, soy and wheat – which are largely Genetically Modified. Those crops are turned into fast foods, processed snack foods and beverages with absolutely little to no nutritional value.
4. Most of the studies on the nutritional value of food are funded by the food industry themselves.
The Food Industry spends a great deal of time working to discredit those who critique their food. It’s true – and they don’t want consumers to know the truth behind their poor food choices. So by attacking their credibility, it makes them look like they really do have your best interest in mind.
They do the same thing for people who make alternative health choices (Essential Oils) – they prefer for the consumer to stick with what makes them the most, therefore downplay the effectiveness of anything else that could possibly work better.
5. Many {so called} healthy foods are no healthier than the foods they were designed to replace.
This is the truth – Boost Nutritional Shakes, Ensure, and even Vitaminwater are all heavy in sugars… and poor choices for nutrition. In 2006, beverage makers removed sodas from vending machines at schools – yet through lobbying, they put sports juice drinks and vitamin waters in the machines that are STILL packed with just as much sugar.
6. Food Companies have a tendency to minimize the health concerns associated with their products.
Favorability of {processed} milk, sugar, and juice for example runs higher with research sponsored by the industry. In many cases, it’s more advertising than a scientific study.
7. Food companies are great at using deceptive advertising to get you to buy their products.
By showing pictures of fresh fruit on the package, they give the impression that the product contains fresh fruits ~ in some cases, strawberries, oranges and even bananas (Gerber is great at this). By using the terms “Made with Whole Wheat” on a pack of Keebler Cookies tells people it’s ok to drown their sorrows in cookies because the cookies are somewhat good for you in the end. The same goes for almost every item you spot in grocery ads ~Instant Win Games have been created by grocery stores to lure you back into their store, but more times than not, they are for products that are probably not the best to give your family.
Agree?
8. Genetically Engineered Food are safe.
You hear this all the time. I hear this on my Facebook feed. I hear this on Pandora (as Monsanto has taken out ads there too now..) and you even hear it on the television – constantly.
More than 90% of corn and 95% of soy grown in the U.S. is genetically engineered. If it doesn’t bear the USDA Organic label, then it risks being genetically engineered. Even if it’s Non-GMO, and has the Non-GMO Project label, those items are still dangerous as they hold pesticide – the toxic chemicals put on them do not wash off – they become integrated into almost every part of the plant – in turn, transfers to your body.
As harmless as they may sound, genetically engineered (and even pesticide laden food) CAN harm your body. Studies DO point to issues such as infertility, disease and even cancer. Even infant formula contains GE Ingredients – not the best way to start off human life.
So if it’s so bad, then why doesn’t the U.S. Government care more? GMOs are banned in 38 and labeled in over 61 countries. The U.S. is quick to jump to anything that will produce them more profits (ie. poor food equates to more healthcare which equates to higher profits).
And, not enough time is spent researching the side effects of GMO’s and their relation to our health. This video below is pretty self explanatory.
9. Soy is a healthy alternative to dairy.
Soy has risen in popularity over the last few years – and are probably the item that people resort to when it comes to drinking milk (why would anyone want to drink raw milk when they can buy soy?) Soy is in almost everything that you buy in store and it’s pretty scary to think that most people assume it’s something everyone should be eating.
Unfermented Soy products are NOT healthy for your diet – fermented soy items, on the other hand, are are GREAT and have numerous health benefits. Soy might be an alternative to dairy – it’s not a better alternative to processed dairy, and it’s definitely not a better option than raw milk.
If you aren’t sure why you would want to avoid Soy products, then read our last post at length to find out why.
10. Artificial Sweeteners are SAFE to consume.
Not only that, they are an effective way at losing weight.
If this was true, then we wouldn’t be a nation suffering from obesity. Our health care issues wouldn’t be rising.
Most people use artificial sweeteners to lose weight – some use them because they are diabetic. In either case, sweeteners can almost cause more weight gain and more damage for diabetics than can regular sugar.
- Just the sweet taste of artificial sweeteners can increase your hunger.
- Artificial sweeteners can interfere with your body’s natural ability to adjust to glucose and energy – they mess with your metabolism. They suggest to the brain that you are eating something sweet, but yet there is nothing to satisfy that desire. therefore in the end causing you to indulge in more food and calorie-rich items that will satisfy your urge.
While the FDA has approved many, they have also ruled out artificial sweeteners and their health risks – one thing to remember though is that their studies are based on much smaller doses than the 24 oz. of soda each day. With larger portion sizes there IS risk.