Do you read food labels?

Do you eat healthy food?

These two questions lay the basis for our misunderstanding of healthy diets.  First, reading food labels is a common starting place for most people who would like to become more health conscious.  It is a place that we know we can look for information about the food we are eating.  However, the information contained in this area is sometimes deceptive.  This occurs due to number watching.  People look at the RDA's for vitamins, minerals, carbs, protein, fats, etc... to assess the quality of what they are eating.  Value is placed by consumer on certain statistics in the RDA section and a choice is made whether to purchase that food for our family or yourself. 

That brings about the second question of whether your food is healthy or not.  The valuation of RDA statistics will often time lead us down the wrong road.  The ingredients section lists some vital information that reveals more of the story.  To a certain degree this part is the most important part of a label.  Navigating the information on the label can be simplified by understanding a few simple guidelines. 

Here are some general guidelines that will help you make a great decision when shopping:

1. If you can buy organic food; buy it and eat it.
   1. Organic produce contains more nutrients per serving than conventional produce.
   2. Conventional produce has pesticides in and on it, organic produce has far lower levels in and on it.
   3. Organic food has less additives.
   4. A decreased toxic load from food is very important, especially for children.
2. If the ingredient section lists ingredients other than food (i.e.fruit, meat, vegetables, etc…), be skeptical.
   1. Food additives, whether they are "vitamins" or minerals are often derived from sources other than food.  These chemicals are not the same as food and the body knows the difference.
3. If the food does not look like it did when it was harvested (meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, fruit, etc…) you should limit your intake.
   1. When food is changed from its original shape, it limits the shelf life.  That usually means that it has been processed to some extent as well.  The more your food is processed before you get it, the more likely it will be laden with more chemicals.
4. Always buy organic meat & poultry, and wild fish & shellfish when you can.  Especially if you are eating organ meat (heart, liver, etc…).
   1. Growth hormones, faulty feeding techniques, and food additives make conventionally raised livestock and farmed seafood a poorer and more toxic choice.
5. If in doubt, leave it out of your diet.
   1. Trust your instincts.  Don't trust the label claims like: No Trans Fats, No Cholesterol, Low Carb, No added sugar, All natural, etc…  These are bold-faced sales tactics designed to distract you from the often long list of additives in the food.  Cholesterol is not a concern if you are eating the correct amount of vegetables.  There are no trans fats in food grown from the ground or in animals.  Trust yourself and not the marketing.

Dr. Richard Robles, DC

231 N. Euclid Ave.

Upland, CA 91786

For more health information and service info please visit:

www.LucidForce.com

www.UplandChiropractic.com

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We offer chiropractic, acupuncture and massage therapy services in Upland, CA and Sherman Oaks.