By Jeff Harrison
PHC General Manager

 

  

Day 3 – It’s All In A Label

One of my favorite things to do (don’t laugh) is when I go to the grocery store and read all of the outlandish claims made by the manufacturers of certain products.  One claims to “lower blood pressure”; another one “prevents osteoporosis”; another is 30% less sugar; this one is fat free, that one is cholesterol free, and so on.  The problem is two fold. 1) Most consumers fall for it, and 2) There’s nothing to stop the manufacturers from posting their marketing jargon.  After all, if it’s colorful and pretty on the front of the package, it must be true?

It’s In There

The good news is that with a little bit of knowledge and a little bit of common sense, any consumer can come away from the grocery store and know they bought healthy, quality products.  Due to legislation passed as recent as 1991, all packaged foods are required to have basic nutrition labels and information.  What is NOT required is that manufacturer be held accountable for their “claims”. What is also not required is that the average consumer really has a clue about what it is they’re reading.

Ignore The Advertising

Forget the catchy jingle or the colorful packaging.  The manufacturer is interested in one thing – you buying their product.  If you buy it once and you think it’s healthy, chances are you’ll buy it again.  They’ll attract you with coupons and end of the aisle specials all to make you believe you’re getting a better, healthier bargain.  For your wallet, perhaps yes.  But for your health and waistline, I doubt it.  Instead, remember this.  If it comes in a box, chances are in a hundred years it will still be in a box.  Is that really something you want in your body?

Wondering what I am supposed to do and how am I supposed to read the label?  Let me show you sometime over an apple.

See you tomorrow for Day 4 of my 12 Days of Fitness.