Don't fall for unhealthy filler ingredients
and substitutes in these favorite foods that can be
deceptive
CHANHASSEN, Minn., March 6,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The landscape of food is complex
– and it's only getting worse. Ensuring you're buying genuine,
healthy ingredients is increasingly challenging because of
misleading labels on products that mask bad items in otherwise
healthy-looking choices at the grocery store.
To help everyone recognize the good from the bad, Life Time
(NYSE: LTH), offers five "healthy" food favorites that can sneakily
hide harmful fillers and cheap, unhealthy substitutes.
- Coffee: Beloved for its energy perks and
antioxidant health benefits, coffee grounds can be mixed with
fillers, including wheat, corn, rye, barley, soy beans, and even
sticks (and more). For the best authenticity and freshness,
purchase only whole beans and grind them at home. By avoiding
pre-ground coffee, you can eliminate the potential for these
imposters and enjoy a fresher-tasting brew.
- Olive Oil: Known as one of the healthiest cooking
oils, olive oil is susceptible to food fraud by being
diluted with cheaper oils, including vegetable and canola oils, and
other inferior ingredients. To ensure you receive only the purest
and healthiest options, purchase authentic olive oil from reputable
stores that specialize in the product, or look for California Olive
Oil Council certification seals to verify authenticity. This label
ensures that you're buying California-grown 100% extra virgin
oil.
- Honey: Often revered for its antioxidant
properties, honey is one of the primary products commonly fraught
with imitations adulterated with corn syrup, sugar or other
substances and fillers. You can ensure the honey you're buying is
legit by purchasing it directly from beekeepers or local farmers'
markets, which has the added benefit of supporting producers in
your area. Many grocery stories also carry local honey brands,
which can be quality options. And remember that "organic" does not
necessarily guarantee unadulterated.
- Maple Syrup: Cherished for its natural sweetness,
maple syrup – like honey – is one of the most common categories
full of imposters. To avoid deception, seek syrup with just ONE
ingredient: pure maple syrup. Avoid all others loaded with corn
syrup, other inferior syrups and sweeteners, and artificial flavors
and colors.
- Parmesan Cheese: Prized for its rich flavor,
Parmesan cheese is frequently adulterated with cheaper cheeses and
additives like cellulose (wood pulp or cotton lint), potato starch
and palm oil. Aim to buy blocks of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese to
shred yourself, ensuring they meet Italian standards with the name
stamped in pin dots on the rind or the label "Parmigiano-Reggiano."
If you need pre-grated Parmesan cheese, pick a product that's
grated and labeled at the grocery store versus pre-grated cheese
off the shelf.
"Verified real, whole food is more likely to have the naturally
bioavailable nutrient forms and complementary polyphenols and
micronutrients to most effectively nourish your body," said
Samantha McKinney, Life Time's
National Program Manager for Nutrition and Metabolism. "Read labels
to ensure you're purchasing the best available options and learn
more about the foods you buy to avoid wasting your money on
inferior or, worse, items that are just plain unhealthy."
More information on foods and filler ingredients can be found in
Life Time's Experience Life magazine, featuring insight
from Larry Olmsted, author of
Real Food/Fake Food: Why You Don't Know What You're Eating and
What You Can Do About It.
To help its members, Life Time offers nutrition coaching with
certified professionals across its network of more than 170
athletic country clubs along with programs like D.TOX and
1-2-12 to jump start healthy
nutrition habits. Learn more at lifetime.life.
Through its charitable arm, the Life Time Foundation a
501(c)(3) nonprofit, Life Time supports school food professionals
in providing children the nutritious, minimally processed meals
they deserve across the country. School districts have access to
Life Time Foundation's free tool, Green Onion, to analyze their
products for ingredients of concern based on the Ingredient Guide
for Better School Food Purchasing. Green Onion helps users easily
find better product alternatives and track their progress on an
individualized dashboard.
About Life Time®
Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy
lives through its portfolio of more than 170 athletic country clubs
across the United States and
Canada. The Company's healthy way
of life communities and ecosystem address all aspects of healthy
living, healthy aging and healthy entertainment for people 90 days
to 90+ years old. Supported by a team of more than 37,000 dedicated
professionals, Life Time is committed to providing the best
programs and experiences through its clubs, iconic athletic events
and comprehensive digital platform.
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SOURCE Life Time, Inc.