Read The Ingredient Label Before You Buy It

     Eating healthy and losing weight are very different goals.  These endeavors don't necessarily go hand in hand, as some folks assume.  However, most of the people I talk to have concluded that losing weight, in and of itself, is healthy.  Yes, of course there are health benefits as a result of shedding a few pounds, but the risks to a person's well being by not maintaining a balanced diet (at least somewhat balanced) are significant over the long term. 

     I want to share my thoughts on eating healthier via reading and being guided by what's listed in the product ingredient labels.  This label reading routine is quickly becoming common place among concerned shoppers.  

     Of course, no one wants to deprive themselves of the foods they love.  But, if we could learn how to change our cravings and actually develop a taste for foods that are better for us, wouldn't that be great?

     There are a few basic principles to eating healthy, in addition to cutting down on the fat and sweets.  Eat as many whole foods as possible and know what you're eating!  When we eat more natural foods, those with fewer artificial ingredients and additives, we will actually change what we crave to eat.   Unfortunately, it's shocking to see the abundance of, basically, junk food stacked on the shelves, isle after isle in the super market chain grocery stores.  What the food industry has done to make money is wrong.

     It is more important then ever to read the ingredients on the label.  This is the only way you'll know what you're eating.  Checking out the sugar, fat and calorie content from the nutrition facts chart is not enough.  Last week the makers of Pringle potato chips, in order to avoid some taxes, admitted that Pringles are more non-potato then potato.  That's scary if you ask me.  Most of the food manufacturers are getting away with making and selling garbage.  We keep eating the stuff because all the processed sugars and salts are addictive to our taste buds. Then our defenseless stomachs have to deal with the junk.

     Try scanning the health food section of the stores you shop at or better yet, check out a health food store like Whole Foods or Trader Joe's.  See what looks good.  Don't be afraid to experiment.  Most of the wholesome products probably have far fewer and more comprehensible ingredients than you're used to seeing.  Hopefully, refined sugar and corn syrup are replaced with cane juice.  The flour should specify whole wheat or other whole grains. The salt should be sea salt.  Unfortunately, many of the large chain markets have a limited selection of natural foods.  Pointing this out to the management and requesting that they stock more of a variety is an excellent idea.  

     The best rule of thumb is to find labels that list ingredients which are easy to understand, and fewer is usually better.  I can assure you that the less chemical sounding ingredients there are in the food you eat, the better you'll feel afterward.  Before you know it, you'll find yourself searching for the more natural food products.   The excessively sweet and salty items with artificial ingredients will lose there appeal to you.

     Please remember to be smart, and read those ingredient labels.  You're sure to live a longer healthier life.   This is more 'common horse sense'!