Sugar, salt and processed foods is finally good for you

In summary: Fruit-Loops.aspxIn summary, Froot Loops are now good for you (according to their makers) because they are a good source of many essential vitamins and minerals. The maximum FDA permitted level of sugar in a cereal is 12 grams, and can't be far of the maximum amount you can chemically get to stick to it. The "Health Check" logo on some packaged foods (and another that I can't recall right now because I can't find anything in my fridge with the symbol on it) means that the product manufacturer donated money to the Hearth and Stroke Foundation, and is not an endorsement by the foundation. It's terribly misleading to claim that a cereal has vitamins if the vitamins only come from the
  • #1
mgb_phys
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Excellent - froot loops are now good for you (according to their makers)

Worried that the government food health labelling is a bit of downer, "you can't eat this, you can't eat that" they have decided to launch their own positive labelling.

05smartB-nrml.jpg


“Froot Loops is an excellent source of many essential vitamins and minerals and it is also a good source of fiber with only 12 grams of sugar,” said Celeste A. Clark, senior vice president of global nutrition for Kellogg’s, which makes Froot Loops. “You cannot judge the nutritional merits of a food product based on one ingredient.”

Apparently 12g of sugar is the maximum FDA permitted level in a cereal - and can't be far of the maximum amount you can chemically get to stick to it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/05/business/05smart.html?_r=2&
 
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  • #2
That's pretty funny. I wonder how much it costs to spray some cheapo vitamin juice on a box of sugary junk. A penny a box?
 
  • #3
I got curious one day and read the side of the box of some super-sweet cereal that claimed to contain vitamins and minerals. There were two lists of numbers. One list of numbers was the nutritional value of the cereal without milk and the next list was the cereal plus milk. Guess which column of numbers contained vitamins and minerals?

In Canada (I don't know about the States, maybe someone here can tell me) we have this symbol

http://www.nutrexsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/healthcheck_logo.jpg

the "Health Check" logo on some packaged foods (and another that I can't recall right now because I can't find anything in my fridge with the symbol on it). If only glanced at, it leads one to believe (which is what I initially thought) that the product was endorsed by the Hearth and Stroke Foundation as a favourable food choice. Then I read the fine print on the side of the package. The logo on the package means that the product manufacturer donated money to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and is not an endorsement by the foundation. It's terribly misleading.
 
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  • #4
mgb_phys said:
Apparently 12g of sugar is the maximum FDA permitted level in a cereal - and can't be far of the maximum amount you can chemically get to stick to it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/05/business/05smart.html?_r=2&
According to the article, Froot Loops are 41% sugar. It's hard to see how that qualifies as a smart nutritional choice unless you have to choose between giving your kids either a sugar-laden cereal or a Snickers bar for breakfast. Tough choice, though - at least a Snickers bar has lots of peanuts.
 
  • #5
You can see something has to be wrong with Fruit Loops when you're eating it and see chunks of sugar stuck to certain ones.

I'm at the point where if I see anything that's packaged, I know it's not healthy. I'm glad to see people trying to get healthy and lose weight, but the food companies are taking advantage of the ignorant. They tell you the massive protein content on the label and suddenly bacon is healthy. They tell you all the vitamins and minerals in poptarts and act like they're healthy. People don't realize that a lot of vitamins in excess just get passed right through you. You're buying that B vitamin with 18000% of the recommended value for the energy? Cool, now your urine has 17900% B vitamin content for the toilet.
I did that. Then I wondered why I was urinating highlighter ink.
 
  • #6
GeorginaS said:
I got curious one day and read the side of the box of some super-sweet cereal that claimed to contain vitamins and minerals. There were two lists of numbers. One list of numbers was the nutritional value of the cereal without milk and the next list was the cereal plus milk. Guess which column of numbers contained vitamins and minerals?
Wow. I wonder if that's even legal? It seems there must be some sort of consumer protection laws or truth in advertising laws that wouldn't let you claim that a cereal has vitamins if the vitamins only come from the milk you're pouring over it.

And, that symbol in the OP is also terribly misleading. I think we need better education in the schools to teach people not to be so easily misled by these rather underhanded advertising tricks.

leroyjenkens said:
You're buying that B vitamin with 18000% of the recommended value for the energy? Cool, now your urine has 17900% B vitamin content for the toilet.
I did that. Then I wondered why I was urinating highlighter ink.

:rofl:
 
  • #7
speaking of strokes and such, there actually are some pharmaceutical nutritional supplements available now, but they are not forms of the vitamins that you will find in kids' cereals. e.g. - methylfolate, not folic acid

http://www.pamlab.com/Products
 
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  • #8
GeorginaS said:
I got curious one day and read the side of the box of some super-sweet cereal that claimed to contain vitamins and minerals. There were two lists of numbers. One list of numbers was the nutritional value of the cereal without milk and the next list was the cereal plus milk. Guess which column of numbers contained vitamins and minerals?QUOTE]

I made the same discovery some time ago - while explaining the chart to my kids. One of them actually came to the conclusion it was better to just drink the milk and eat a piece of fruit.
 
  • #9
WhoWee said:
I made the same discovery some time ago - while explaining the chart to my kids. One of them actually came to the conclusion it was better to just drink the milk and eat a piece of fruit.

Smart kid!
 
  • #10
Yep, the "Smart Choice" logo is deceptive as is this one I linked

healthcheck_logo.jpg


At first I thought it meant an endorsement. The fine print tells me it's not; it's sponsorship. Talk about misleading.

And yes, Calluna, it was requirements for truth in packaging that led to the two columns of numbers in the first place, because, prior to that, cereals claimed all sorts of healthy elements that were derived from the addition of milk. Given that cold cereals are intended to be eaten with milk, the food companies could pose a semi-reasonable argument. Hence why they're forced.
 
  • #11
I like breakfast cereals but stick with Cheerios, Raisin Bran, or the umpteen grain cereals. Those all seem to be pretty good.

I also love milk. :biggrin:
 

What is the reasoning behind the claim that sugar, salt, and processed foods are good for you?

The reasoning behind this claim is that these foods contain essential nutrients and provide quick energy, which is important for our bodies to function properly. Additionally, small amounts of sugar and salt are necessary for certain bodily functions, such as maintaining proper hydration and regulating blood pressure.

What are the potential risks associated with consuming too much sugar, salt, and processed foods?

Consuming too much sugar, salt, and processed foods can lead to health problems such as obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. These foods are often high in calories and lacking in essential nutrients, which can contribute to weight gain and other health issues.

Are all types of sugar, salt, and processed foods considered healthy?

No, not all types of sugar, salt, and processed foods are considered healthy. It is important to choose sources of these ingredients that are minimally processed and contain other beneficial nutrients. For example, choosing whole fruits instead of sugary snacks and opting for sea salt instead of highly processed table salt can provide more nutritional value.

How can individuals incorporate sugar, salt, and processed foods into a healthy diet?

Sugar, salt, and processed foods can be incorporated into a healthy diet in moderation. This means consuming them in small amounts and balancing them with other nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. It is also important to read nutrition labels and choose foods that are lower in added sugars and salt.

What other factors should be considered when determining the impact of sugar, salt, and processed foods on health?

Other factors that should be considered include an individual's overall diet and lifestyle. Consuming a diet high in sugar, salt, and processed foods, while also being physically inactive, can increase the risk of health problems. Genetics, age, and underlying health conditions can also play a role in how these foods affect an individual's health.

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