Grocery shopping -- pull out your reading glasses

I just saw a news segment on reading labels at the grocery store and thought I'd pass a bit of info on to you.

When reading labels, always start at the top! The first five ingredients are the most important, as they are listed in the order of content. For instance, if the first ingredient is high fructose corn syrup (or honey or sugar, for that matter), be aware that the sugar content is most likely beyond what you want to be putting in your, or your child's, body!

Something you want to see in the first couple of ingredients listed on bread or pasta is 100% whole grain. If the word 'enriched' is there, it means the grain has been stripped of fiber and will be processed in your body as sugar. That's bad news for people like me who are diabetic.

You also want to avoid any trans fats and anything that includes the word hydrogenated. And pay attention to serving size. If you generally eat three times the serving size listed, multiply all the calories, grams of fat, carbs, etc. by three.


So, with that said, head off to the grocery store...and good luck! Healthy eating eliminates some of the most popular products on the shelves.

An occasional indulgence in less-than-healthy foods is fine. However, when they are included in your steady diet, trouble ensues. Don't let your kids or grandkids become part of the disturbing statistic of the rise in Type 2 Diabetes that used to be called Adult Onset Diabetes. Unfortunately, it's not limited to adults any longer.

Keeping it healthy,

Hana