Decoding Food Labeling

Expert Tells What Common Terms, Such As "Organic" And "Zero Trans Fat," Really Mean

(CBS)  It can get very confusing at the supermarket -- with food packaging carrying all sorts of labels that leap out at you -- such as "organic" and "natural."

What do they really mean?

Registered dietician Keri Glassman offered explanations on The Early Show Wednesday.

"Organic"

"100 Percent Certified Organic" means the product was grown, produced or raised using only methods that are thought to be good for the earth -- that is -- without pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, synthetic hormones, or genetic engineering.

"Organic" means the item contains at least 95 percent organic ingredients.

"No Antibiotics" is a label used on meat and poultry that means the animal wasn't given antibiotics routinely to stay healthy.

All chicken, organic or not, is required to be horomone-free, so don't waste time looking for this label.

"No Hormones" means the animal wasn't raised on hormones, commonly given to increase the weight or milk production of the animal.

Most studies suggest that nutrients are equally available in conventional and organic versions.

If you want to buy organic, there are certain foods for which it's more important than others: Fruits and vegetables that have very thin, penetrable skins are more susceptible to pesticides and fertilizers seeping in -- fruits and veggies such as apples, strawberries, peaches, nectarines, peppers, lettuce, pears, and cherries. Also -- be mindful of milk, especially if there are kids in the house who are drinking a lot of it.

If you buy organic-no antibiotic-no hormone chicken, remember that those chickens are just as likely, if not more likely, to carry harmful bacteria such as salmonella and campylobacter, so use food safety practices.

Bottom Line: It's better to have non-organic fruits and vegetables, as opposed to none at all. But, going organic whenever possible for fruits and vegetables that carry the heaviest pesticide load makes sense for the most vulnerable groups -- children and pregnant women.

"Fat Free"

"Fat Free" foods contain less than 0.5 grams of fat per serving.

Be aware that fat free foods (aside from nonfat dairy, fruits and vegetables) often contain more sugar and starch than the full-fat versions. In addition to being void of nutrients, they're not satisfying, so they're easily overeaten.

"Low fat" foods contain three grams of fat or less per serving.

"Light" foods have up to 50 percent less fat and sodium and one-third fewer calories than the original version.

Limiting fat in your diet is a good thing if your diet is high in saturated fat and calories. However, some fat is necessary and will actually help with weight loss and maintenance. Aim to get 25-35 percent of your calories from healthy, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, from foods such as fatty fish like salmon, nuts, avocado, seeds, canola, and olive oils.

Bottom line: Skip the fat-free version and go for low fat or light, or have a small amount of the full-fat version. Make sure to get some healthy fat with each meal to help keep your body burning fat and to keep you feeling satisfied.

[sharednotion]

I''m in favor of laws requiring thorough, accurate, and clear informational labeling on food. However, with all due respect to the new federal food pyramid guide, and expert advise from nutritionists & dieticians, wouldn''t most of us be better off following a simpler (tho technically less ideal)formula: Remember the "four food groups" many of us learned growing up? Milk (and other dairy products), Bread (grains in general), Meat (and fish & poultry, & other sources of protein such as peanuts, nuts, & soybeans), and Fruits & Vegetables? If everyone in America ate a good mixture of these, kept portion sizes & calorie intake under control, avoided sugar and cut down salt, and exercised a great deal more, wouldn''t our nation be a far healthier place, EVEN IF most of us never memorize all the detailed nuances that we hear preached at us by professional nutritionists when they are interviewed on television? I am NOT questioning their expertise; but HUMAN NATURE is not condusive to expecting an entire national population to think & act like computers, applying highly complex nutritional formulas in day-to-day life.

[richstew1]

This is an excellent and much misunderstood subject. The absolute best resource on this topic is Eating Between the Lines : a supermarket shoppers guide to the truth behind food labeling, Kimberly Lord Stewart. St Martins Press 2007. This book takes you on a journey through the grocery store aisle by aisle but the twist is engaging and interesting narratives before each section. A must for those interested in this labeling topic,

[richstew1]

This is an excellent and much misunderstood subject. The absolute best resource on this topic is Eating Between the Lines : a supermarket shoppers guide to the truth behind food labeling, Kimberly Lord Stewart. St Martins Press 2007. This book takes you on a journey through the grocery store aisle by aisle but the twist is engaging and interesting narratives before each section. A must for those interested in this labeling topic,

[richstew1]

This is an excellent and much misunderstood subject. The absolute best resource on this topic is Eating Between the Lines : a supermarket shoppers guide to the truth behind food labeling, Kimberly Lord Stewart. St Martins Press 2007. This book takes you on a journey through the grocery store aisle by aisle but the twist is engaging and interesting narratives before each section. A must for those interested in this labeling topic,

[richstew1]

This is an excellent and much misunderstood subject. The absolute best resource on this topic is Eating Between the Lines : a supermarket shoppers guide to the truth behind food labeling, Kimberly Lord Stewart. St Martins Press 2007. This book takes you on a journey through the grocery store aisle by aisle but the twist is engaging and interesting narratives before each section. A must for those interested in this labeling topic,

[richstew1]

This is an excellent and much misunderstood subject. The absolute best resource on this topic is Eating Between the Lines : a supermarket shoppers guide to the truth behind food labeling, Kimberly Lord Stewart. St Martins Press 2007. This book takes you on a journey through the grocery store aisle by aisle but the twist is engaging and interesting narratives before each section. A must for those interested in this labeling topic,