Nutrition Labels Don't Benefit Consumers

In case you haven't seen it yet, nutrition labels aren't actually in the consumer's favor. Manufacturers have found a way to use loopholes to hide their product's hidden "nutrients" that we don't want or need. You have to be a food lawyer to interpret what this label is really saying. I talked about this already.

The sad thing is that the nutrition label is suppose to help us achieve our nutritional goals. But it is very deceiving and has nothing to do with nutrition facts. And although many try, they miss that with a label you include ingredients, too.

I think we are misinterpreting the Sugars and giving them a bad rap. I also believe that a diet of 2000 calories as a model to our nutritional value is deceiving and flawed. When I wrote this I wanted to point out how deceptive labels are and how to cut to the chase.

Sugar isn't exactly a bad thing. Sure it adds to calories, but energy burns them and one can't deny that sugar is energy. Energy can be like a cheetah, quick bursts then drop. You see a cheetah may be the fastest animal on earth, but it can only achieve this for a short period of time. That is how bad sugar works. It peaks and drops quickly. In other words, your energy is short lived.


There are good sugars and bad sugars that supply the good and the bad energy. You want the sugars that run a marathon, meaning pure energy that burns itself out and burns calories. You also must know how to use them to your advantage. You should know your sugar daily requirement and more sugar facts.

Note a healthy sugar: Maple syrup. Don't forget honey. There is also stevia and monk fruit. Stevia may contain alcohol so look for the non-alcoholic variety. I tend to use maple syrup to sweeten certain food. I use about 1/10th of a serving because a little goes a long way.

Vegetables can be eaten in unlimited servings and weight gain is minimal. Legumes are filling and nutritious. Seeds are powerful and promote many aspects of a healthy lifestyle(energy, weight loss, sleep). Fruits are yet the other powerful group, most loaded with sugars that promote weight loss and energy. Calories of these foods usually burn themselves out. The nutrition you get from these foods actually feeds your body both on the outside and inside.

The foods at a farmer's market or produce aisle don't require a nutrition label, ever wonder why? Because you see the ingredient and most would make manufacturers rewrite the label. If the sugar content is high, it isn't a refined sugar. Although some fruits may cause havoc with your teeth, remember to brush afterwards.

Keep in mind that nutrition labels are just a guideline to nutrition. The only things that servings would be of importance is when it comes to fats and sodium, and I'll also include refined sugars. The ingredients are listed in descending order of predominance. So if the second or third ingredient is a sugar, especially a refined sugar, the servings should be enforced because too much can cause weight gain.

More about nutrition labels and how to get the most out of them will be discussed in the future, since data may be changing.

Lifestyle Health

Sometimes I have so much to talk about that I don't know where to put it. It's not really a topic that would make for a well written blog entry, so I give you a variety of useful topics and links. Somehow, I don't think anyone will complain.

How much exercise do you need? That would depend on what you are planning to accomplish. At some point, the exercises should be for maintenance rather than for competition or building bigger muscles.

More and more people are finding homeopathic solutions for what ails them. Natural remedies doctors use to stay in tip top shape. I will be talking about homeopathic solutions in future entries.

Not to be outdone by the on-again/off-again reports of health benefits of alcohol and coffee, a link to health and marijuana has been found. Stay tuned!

It's summer so forget the gym and try these outdoor activities for fitness. While you're at it, keep that heart healthy with these four exercises.

Need health tools? Here's a few that are a must for a healthy lifestyle.

Remember this? Looks like in my assessment I may have missed the carbs in energy.

I have a problem keeping my fruits and vegetables from spoiling just days after I buy them. This can be rather costly. Lucky for me I found this!

If you are still struggling to enter a healthy lifestyle, maybe you should go back to square one. You might need to mentally prepare for it. This involves a mind over body approach.

It looks like there is a Healthy People 2020 project in the government's agenda. The site is rather informative and outlines its goals to bring about a healthy America. So along the same lines, check this site out.

Seems that cash will motivate people to embrace a healthy lifestyle. Fine here's your paycheck:
Quit smoking, save thousands a year on cigarettes. Eat right and exercise, save thousands a year on doctors. Eat healthy foods and eat less, save a few hundred a year. Overall the check can add up to about $5000 in savings a year.

Healthy Facts About Healthy Nutrition

Over the years, I have made and seen many mistakes when it comes to nutrition. I remember the all-you-can-eat salad bars. Most of the healthy ingredients were offset by the unhealthy ingredients. If you used prepared salad dressings, your fat and caloric intake(not to mention sodium) killed the benefits of the healthy ingredients. Then you had the 'extras' that weren't at all healthy like pasta salads and chicken wings!

I usually make my own dressings, with extra virgin olive oil and vinegar. The vinegar is mostly balsamic, but I also use red wine, apple cider and even distilled. I like experimenting and alter the flavor by either increasing the oil or the vinegar. My spices are limited or no (sea or Kosher) salt, turmeric, black pepper, basil, oregano, and garlic salt to name a few. If I do buy the commercial dressings, I look for lowest fat, sodium and sugar contents. Stay clear from the bargains because they aren't the healthiest. I also try to only use the serving size, because you run into trouble when you over indulge, as most do.

If you want ingredients for a super salad start here. Although, I prefer my chard and kale cooked, and spinach can go either way, I am not one to use them in my salad. Now, note #9:

No. 9: Iceberg Lettuce

Portion: 1/6 of a medium head
Calories: 10
Carbs: 2 grams
Fiber: 1 gram

Iceberg lettuce may be the most popular of all the salad greens, but it's definitely not the healthiest diet choice. Although the calories may be comparable to other salad greens, the nutrients are not. Still, crispy and inexpensive iceberg doesn't completely deserve its bad reputation. "It has a high water count so it contributes to your daily fluid needs," says McVaugh, "and it is still a vegetable."

 

I always said that iceberg isn't really healthy per se, other than being a good water source that helps you fill up quicker. It shouldn't be eaten alone because it has very little nutrients.

 

Whatever nutrition you are on, you're asking for trouble if your idea of vegetable is the potato with your meat. Vegetables should be what people consume most during their meals. You will notice that most times there is a list of foods that can fight what ails you, vegetables are always on the list. So don't be surprised at the foods that boost your brain power. Speaking about brain-boosting foods, there are more here.

 

If you need to burn fat fast, try these foods. I talked about the importance of fiber, now meet some fiber bombs. If you need energy, try these foods. There are low carb fruits that can help if your diabetic.

 

So most of us have been told our fill on the healthy foods, but what about those to avoid? There are those that appear to be healthy, but aren't. It always pays to look at the flip-side of the coin. When it comes to frozen foods, I try to avoid them unless absolutely necessary, except for frozen veggies. I will admit that at one time they were a staple at work and they did help me stay healthy. I think they are OK if used occasionally because they are usually high in sodium. Here's the best ones for weight loss.

 

Here are facts and fiction about ways to boost your metabolism.

Eggs are a perfect nutritious food but should be limited to four a week.

 

You can bet there will be more to say about healthy nutrition, because it is a central issue for healthy lifestyles.

Workplace Wellness

In an email I received some shocking news that never dawned on me. Spending 40 hours, or more, at work may not be the healthiest of environment. The most germs are found in the break room. The email was from the Cleveland Clinic:

And the award for dirtiest spot in your workplace goes to cafeterias and break rooms. Wash your hands or use sanitizing gel before eating.

When you think about germ hot spots at your workplace, the last place you probably consider is the break room, where you prepare and eat all your food. Well, we hate to ruin your appetite, but office kitchens and break rooms have even dirtier surfaces than the restrooms. Some of the most germ-infested areas: microwave and refrigerator door handles, vending machine buttons, and the kitchen sink faucet. Wiping down surfaces with cleansing wipes and washing your hands before eating can help keep you safe from germs and minimize your risk of getting sick. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You can bet that I am going to be more careful at work, and possibly eat outside. Your overall health at work tends to suffer, but there are ways to stay healthy at work. There are also ways to have a healthier work life.  Here are some literature and resources you might be able to use on the topic and beyond. Watch for burnout, which leads to emotional eating in women.   Staying healthy at work should be a priority. In winter it is 10 times more challenging to stay healthy. Don't stop washing your hands often, especially after using the washroom. Here are more tips.   To save money and preserve your health, bring your own food. Most restaurants don't rally offer healthy meals and aren't exactly germ free. Other workplace wellness tips are here.

Websites For Health or Yet Another Resource Entry

I love giving out helpful sites that I have found online. Information leads to knowledge and knowledge leads to motivation. If one or any of these sites help you in any way to get healthy, then putting time in this blog is worth it. It is still in its infancy, but when it comes to health, it must last a lifetime.

Find your limitless potential at Live Strong. A site with tips, articles, tools and resources to get in shape and shape a healthy lifestyle.

Set your goals and meet your motivator.

In a mobile world, there's apps for your health and fitness life.

I'd be a hypocrite if I thought I had all the answers. There is a load of health information out there.

Health resources and information can be found here.

Here are 15 popular health sites.

I am shocked, truly shocked to see great health sites put out by the government. Loaded with information and resources for health.

If you need answers about cancer go here. If you want answers about your heart go here. Both sites are loaded with information and resources on health.

For the ladies and their health goals.

Do you know your risk to develop diseases? Here you can find out and work to prevent it.

I would think that Healthlinks speaks for itself.

Although there are sites that sell products, you can't get this many health links of information.

As if these aren't enough, here's a bonus!

The Enemy Within

Stress is a part of life in today's hectic world. We have too many responsibilities and demands placed on our shoulders and not enough time to do them. That is basically the stress factor that can skyrocket out of control unless you nip it in the bud. Stress comes hand-in-hand with anxiety at times and that can lead to depression. I do believe that stress is the cornerstone of most mental health issues.

So where can you start to eliminate and/or cope with stress? Start here. My mood boosting entry will give you a start. Here are some simple ways to reduce stress. The site is loaded with stress reducing ideas. Here are some common stress triggers and how to beat them.

Meditation seems to work along with the other relaxation techniques found at the bottom of the page. Stress relief can sometimes be surprising and simple. Need more?

When all is said and done, perhaps stress can be managed by managing time. My personal stress comes from being late. Giving myself some time, I may experience stress, but I end up conquering it.

For now try it once and if it works stick with it. There is also a product that seems to relieve stress and anxiety and it works.

If I Were A Captain Of Industry

This is just my educated guess on the health benefits of the Nutrition Label. Keep in mind that science is ever changing and everything is a hypothesis.

My secret hypothesis of the food label.

Does your food label have a secret that tells you how to use food to your advantage? I'll discuss food labels and labeling throughout my blog. I believe the food label can tell us how to lose weight and how to gain energy. There it is staring us in the face but we just don't get it. I talked Trans Fats in foods and the loopholes involved. It pays to read the label as a whole, but it also serves you better if you know what to look for to benefit you.

To Lose Weight:

The label's secret to lose weight are Carbs and Sodium. There are minor influences that come from Cholesterol and Potassium.

There are good carbs and bad carbs. There are also not-so-bad carbs. If the Fiber is greater than the Sugars, that is a great product. Fiber is what moves the foods throughout  your body. I believe that you can never have too much fiber but people aren't getting enough fiber. That's why veggies are an essential. Their sugars are practically non-existent.

Signals' Rule 1 to losing weight....Get more fiber.

Sugars are a two-edged sword. There are bad sugars and there are bad sugars. White and brown sugars, hfcs, etc. BAD. Maple syrup, honey and most natural fruit sugars, GOOD.
Then you have your Cholesterol and Potassium. Cholesterol can be bad or good. Consider Potassium as the anti-Sodium.

Sodium is an enemy to weight and overall health. It makes food taste good and makes us consume multiple servings. In the meantime it raises our blood pressure and makes us prone to heart disease and stroke. We get an overabundance of sodium not only from our foods but also our environment.

Signals Rule 2 to losing weight....Get less salt.
             Rule 2a to lose weight...Increase Potassium and get more good cholesterol than bad.

There is your weight loss formula.

To Increase Energy:

Need more energy? Watch the Fats and the Protein. Protein is a  builder and a fuel for energy. Fats can either be a lubrication or sand for the gears. Good oils and protein, increased energy. Bad oils and protein, decreased energy and overall ones overall health through weight gain.

Read about good oils and bad oils here, here, and here.

Protein is your basic life energy. Be careful if meat is your main source of protein because it can raise your cholesterol. Too much protein can put a strain on the kidneys. Here is your daily requirement. It is a bit different for athletes. The other good benefit, among others, of protein is that it repairs and builds muscle.


Signals overall energy rule....know your good oils and protein and get the most out of them.
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This was a personal commentary by Signals. Signals has been blogging about health at other sites since 2002. Although this theory may eventually be proven wrong, I believe it's right based on my personal research and experiences.