Potassium Sorbate? Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate? Disodium Dihydrogen Pyrophosphate? Good Food Made Simple – a brand committed to using clean, simple ingredients – believes that if you can’t pronounce an ingredient, or don’t know what it means, you should be highly skeptical of eating it. That’s why the company is launching “Eat Clean, Eat Simple,” a national campaign that helps people take control of what they put in their bodies by educating and inspiring them to read and understand ingredient labels – not just glance at the Nutrition Facts.
A recent survey reveals that despite warnings about harmful ingredients found in packaged foods, Americans still purchase and consume foods that contain ingredients directly linked to long-term health problems. According to the survey, only 35 percent of Americans always read ingredient lists before purchasing packaged food. Of those people, only half of them do so to make sure that all of the ingredients are clean – with no preservatives, no additives, no hydrogenated oils (a source of trans fat), no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners.
“Consumers are used to the convenience that comes with packaged foods, however, convenience often comes with a trade-off of less than wholesome ingredients,” said George Gavris, managing partner at Good Food Made Simple, Inc. ” We are launching Eat Clean, Eat Simple to inspire educated label reading, providing clarity and context along the way, so people can understand the importance of eating real, wholesome foods and how it affects your health,” he said.
People don’t always understand what’s in their food.
• Real stat: Despite 87 percent of respondents stating that clean food products are important to them, 57 percent of these respondents report having purchased a leading macaroni and cheese product that is filled with preservatives and additives in the past two years.
• Real food for thought: Carry a cheat sheet – which can be found on http://www.goodfoodmadesimple.com/eatclean – in your wallet to further educate yourself on unacceptable ingredients. It’s simply expected that preservatives and additives are in our food.
• Real stat: Sadly, 50 percent of respondents say they would expect to find additives and/or preservatives – such as Calcium Carbonate, Guar Gum, Caramel Color and Vitamin A Palmitate – in instant oatmeal.
• Real food for thought: Next time you purchase this common breakfast food, look for options that only contain recognizable ingredients. People need to make time to learn what ingredients mean for their health.
• Real stat: 41 percent of people say they only sometimes read ingredient lists because they don’t have time. Just over one in five say it’s because they don’t understand most of the ingredients.
• Real food for thought: You might be rushed and you might be tongue-tied, but that’s no excuse for not understanding what you are putting in your body. Look for foods with ingredients you understand and trust. Studies have shown that even a small amount of trans fat can result in an increased risk of coronary heart disease.
• Real fact: When asked if they would buy a product with trans fats, only 11 percent of people say never and 34 percent say sometimes.
• Real food for thought: Know your fats! Even if you are making foods at home you could be adding ingredients that include trans fats. Over time, trans fats clog your arteries and can harm your health.
Source: Good Food Made Simple
Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2014. All rights reserved.
