From the category archives:

Health Claims

Chocolate for Breakfast?

by Janet on April 28, 2012

Chocolate is one of the top 10 breakfast trends named by the Food Channel, based on its research in conjunction with Culture Waves, the International Food Futurists and Mintel International.  You may think of Cocoa Puffs from your  youth, but there are lot more chocolate breakfast cereals on the shelf these days, including Chocolate Cheerios, Frosted Mini Wheats and Special K. Just take a look at all these chocolate cereals from Candy Addict.

3245576460_849e0c9bf5_bimage courtesy of nettsu on flickr

But we’re not just talking cereal, chocolate has become a bona fide adult trend too, according to the Food Channel.  It was one of the breakout stars at the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, which featured  chocolate tea, hot chocolate on a stick, chocolate belgian waffles and pancakes, and chocolate granola.  Lots more ideas are in the book dedicated to the topic:  Chocolate for Breakfast by Barbara Passino.

249730548_b90a8a9a1a_zchocolate belgian waffles by irrational_cat on flickr

4101334251_e01b19e512_bchocolate pancakes by isabellacester on flickr

6026084523_87302703a1_bchocolate breakfast cake with peanut butter cream cheese by Brown Eyed Baker on flickr

6838045811_923b79ba77_bchocolaté croissant by Castle Vision Photographic on flickr

6291862235_243401faa7_bchocolate mint breakfast by onesmileahead on flickr

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hot chocolate on a stick by Ode to Inspiration on flickr

One chocolate breakfast food that got in hot water recently is Nutella.  Maybe you heard about the $3 million  class-action lawsuit that Nutella-maker Ferrero agreed to settle for marketing the chocolate-hazelnut spread as a healthy breakfast for kids.

6054469918_59c5cbf3ec_bimage courtesy of Helen Chang on flickr

The claim was filed by California mom Athena Hohenberg who said she was deceived by the ads for Nutella that promoted the spread as a nutritious breakfast.  She had been feeding her 4-year-old daughter Nutella in the morning until she learned from friends that it was “the next best thing to a candy bar,” according to court documents. Here are the words that got Italy’s Ferrero in trouble:

“[MOM]: As a mom, I’m a great believer in Nutella, a delicious hazelnut spread that I use to get my kids to eat healthy foods. I spread a little on all kinds of healthy things, like multigrain toast. Every jar has wholesome, quality ingredients, like hazelnuts, skim milk, and a hint of delicious cocoa. And Nutella has no artificial colors or preservatives. It’s quick, it’s easy, and at breakfast I can use all the help I can get.

[VOICEOVER]: Nutella—breakfast never tasted this good.”

How I see it, read the label Athena.  Don’t blame the advertising.  Don’t let someone else decide if something is a smart choice to serve your daughter in the morning.  Pick up the jar and turn it around.  See that each two-tablespoon serving contains 21 grams of sugar and half the 200 calories come from fat. Yes, maybe it is similar to a candy bar.  Is Nutella on whole-grain toast better than a chocolate donut?  Yes.  Is it better than whole-grain cereal and milk? No.   Nutella is a beloved food in Europe and increasingly here in the U.S.  There’s even a World Nutella Day on February 5 to celebrate the chocolate-hazelnut spread worldwide. Was it a good idea to promote the spread as a healthy breakfast food for kids?  I don’t think so.  But let’s leave lawsuits out of this.  As Forbes wrote: Nutella case proves that stupid people can have smart lawyers.

Here’s the commercial so you can see for yourself.  What do you think?

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Add Black to Your Plate, Not Just Your Closet: Why Black is the New Black in Foods

by Janet on March 30, 2012

The little black dress is a timeless classic.  Now it appears that ”eating black” is also in style.5954781204_cbc60c6ef1_b

Black garlic, black rice, black quinoa, black beans, black lentils. 

These ebony-hued foods are not only dramatic in appearance, in most cases they offer a specific health advantage, too.   That’s good thing, since black foods are riding high in popularity.6744043519_7f84675b5b_z

Could it be that black is the new black in foods?  That was the topic of my latest post for WebMD’s blog Real Life Nutrition.  Hope you’ll check it out. And let me know if you’ve enjoyed any black foods recently. 6785419589_cae74f7193_z

Black garlic image courtesy of FotoosVanRobin on flickr
Black rice image courtesy of Simplicity Patterns on flickr
Black quinoa image courtesy of Bingi1 on flickr

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Four Food and Nutrition Words That Make Me Cringe

by Janet on February 9, 2012

There are certain words used to describe foods that make me cringe. I wish we could officially retire them.

I don’t mean health claims on food labels; that’s an entirely different story (and I’ve covered that quite a bit in the past).  Now I’m talking about words that are frequently used in articles about nutrition or on TV food segments. Sometimes they’re used in the titles of recipes or featured on restaurant menus.  Or maybe you just hear your friends use these words to describe specific foods.

I know people mean well when they use these words. I can see how easy it is to go there. But I think these words send the wrong message. I wrote about four wince-worthy food words that I want to see less often in my latest blog post for WebMD’s Real Life Nutrition.  Hope you’ll check it out and let us know what food words bug you.

Here’s my list:

Guilt-Free

    This description is often used to describe a recipe or menu item that has been trimmed of fat or lightened up in some way. That’s great, but why introduce guilt into the discussion? If a certain food or recipe is guilt-free (as it should be), that implies the counterpart must be deserving of guilt. A similar food with a little more fat, sugar, or calories shouldn’t make you feel guilty for eating it. All foods should be guilt-free. Let’s come up with a different adjective to describe a better-for-you food or recipe without conjuring up guilt. Find another way to describe lighter desserts or healthier snacks.

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    Sinful

    You might see this term used to describe a luscious chocolate dessert or an ultra-rich ice cream. You can understand what this word is trying to convey, but why interject morality into our food choices? If you’re in the habit of judging food, you also tend to judge yourself by what you ate. If you think something is sinfully bad, then you’re apt to feel bad if you eat it. That means it’s hard for you to fully enjoy certain foods because you feel guilty when you eat them. This not only robs you of the pleasure, but it’s this guilt that often leads to overeating. I don’t think foods should be considered or “good” or “bad” and you shouldn’t feel bad about eating anything. My hope is that we keep morality out of the picture and stick to moderation.

    Decadent

5773762522_261d963786_bRelated to sinful, decadent is another common term that’s used to describe foods that you think you shouldn’t eat. The official definition of decadent is “being self-indulgent or morally corrupt.” Again, there’s my problem. I think it all comes down to the misguided notion that certain foods are forbidden. Here’s where I really believe in the principles of mindful eating. The more you try to avoid certain foods, the more power they gain over you. When you know you can enjoy those “forbidden foods” when you want, the urgency to eat them in large amounts will eventually diminish.  Can’t we find other ways to describe a luscious dessert that’s more about taste and pleasure instead of indulgence and guilt.

Fattening

    OK, here’s a word that’s getting lots of wear. It’s used so frequently to describe all sorts of foods. But there’s no single food that deserves that moniker on its own. It’s what you do day-in and day-out that really matters. You can have fattening habits. Eating too much is fattening. Not being active is fattening. But a single food does not equate to “fattening,” just because it may be high in fat, for instance. Sure, there are foods that are dense in calories and don’t have much to offer nutritionally.  But it’s one food.  It’s what you do the rest of the day that counts.

Is there anything that you would add to this list?

Images courtesy of cathy scola (brownies) and dawn huczek (banana) on flickr

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6 Nutrition Claims That Need a Second Look

by Janet on November 2, 2011

5782038776_fc5faae3c4_bAll eyes have been on front-of-package nutrition labeling recently, with the release of the Institute of Medicine’s recommendations to help bring some consistency to front-of-pack systems. That’s great if we can unify the various efforts that call out nutritional attributes on packaged foods. Not sure if these new recommendations totally nailed it, but this is certainly an issue worth tackling.

What you see on the front of the label, however, is never going to be the full story. It’s still important to turn the package around and look at the Nutrition Facts panel that provides more detailed data on what’s inside. Consumers say they’re reading these labels, but an interesting study published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association begs to differ. Researchers at the University of Minnesota used an eye-tracking device to see if shoppers were truly scouring those nutrition labels like they said they were.

The shoppers said one thing, but their eyes said another. Among the 203 study participants, 33% said they always look at the calories on the nutrition label, yet the eye-tracking tracking device found that only 9% actually checked the calories. Only 1% looked at other components on the label, even though they said they almost always look at total fat (31%), trans fat (20%), sugar (24%) and serving size (26%).

What shoppers do tend to look at are the nutrition claims on the front of a package. And that’s the topic of my latest post on the WebMD’s blog Real Life Nutrition.  I wrote about the 6 claims that need a second look before you toss the products into your shopping cart.

  • Trans fat free. Just because you see the words “trans fat free’ on the label is doesn’t mean the food is healthy. It could still be high in saturated fat or have lots of empty calories. Turn the package around to see what you’re really buying. If you see the word “hydrogenated” in the ingredient list, there could be some trans fats. A label can declare “zero grams” if there’s less than ½ gram per serving. So consider how many servings you might be eating. The trans fats can add up quickly.
  • Made with whole grains. Look for the words “100% whole grain” or check the ingredient list for the words “whole” in front of wheat or other grains. Made with whole grains could mean made with very little. Some of the grains inside may be whole, but it could be as little as 5 percent.
  • No high fructose corn syrup. This is no indication of the amount of sugar that’s in the food or beverage you’re about to buy. And just because you see a so-called “natural” sugar like agave nectar, there’s no real nutritional advantage unless the overall sugar content is reduced.
  • Omega 3. When you see omega-3 touted on a food label (and it’s not fish) it’s likely ALA omega 3. Unless you see the words EPA or DHA, or you spot fish oil or algal oil in the ingredient list, it’s safe to assume that you’re only getting ALA – especially when the product contains flax, soybean oil or canola oil. That’s fine, but you should know that not all omega-3s are created equal. Our bodies need to convert ALA to the more potent DHA or EPA omega 3 that’s found in fish (and less than 10% is typically converted). You might be getting less of these beneficial fatty acids than you think.
  • Detox. This has become an uber trendy term, but it’s basically meaningless. However, you’ll find it featured on the front of the label of protein bars, juices, teas and other beverages.
  • Natural. It’s the big buzz word on package labels and there was even a recent food fight with the FDA to determine if high fructose corn syrup really qualifies as natural. Other companies have gotten their hands slapped for playing the natural card. We’re arguing over technicalities and the word has lost all meaning. I think if a food wasn’t actually plucked from a tree or grown from the ground, then it shouldn’t claim to be natural.

So what does this all mean? Go beyond the trendy words on the front of the package and check the nutrition facts and ingredients on the back to know what you’re really buying. Keep your eyes wide open when evaluating claims.

Image via libertygraceO on flickr

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Prevention’s Best Packaged Food Awards

by Janet on March 1, 2011

Prevention.com put packaged foods to the test once again this year, revealing 21 winners of the website’s Best Packaged Food Awards.  Prevention.com asked registered dietitians and food bloggers to recommend their favorite new and healthy packaged foods. Each product was tested and tasted by Prevention editors and then narrowed down to the final list of the top 21 choices. 
 
“Packaged foods have a bad reputation, but cooking from scratch all the time can be unrealistic,” said Deborah Wilburn, Executive Editor of Prevention.com. “We want to give our readers the healthiest, most delicious options for the meals they’re actually cooking on a daily basis. Each of our winners not only tastes terrific, but all are trans fat-free, lower in sodium and sugar than their competitors, and are chock-full of key nutrients.”
 
Here is the complete list of Prevention.com’s “Best Packaged Food Awards” winners for 2011. A feature on the award winners can be found at www.prevention.com/packaged-foods-2011
 
·            Best Cereal: Ambrosial Venetian Vineyard Granola
This sweet and crunchy organic granola wowed editors’ taste buds with the combination of walnuts, dates, and raisins. It packs in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, 28 grams of whole grains, and has no added oil. Though it’s a little caloric, at 230 calories and 7 grams of fat per half-cup serving, it contains 5 grams of fiber, 6 grams of protein, and 10% of your daily dose of iron.
 
·            Best Oatmeal: Country Choice Organic Instant Oatmeal With Flax
With just two ingredients—whole grain rolled oats and flaxseed—you know you’re starting the day with a healthy, fiber-filled breakfast.
 
lemonchobani·            Best Yogurt: Chobani Lemon 0% Greek Yogurt
The new flavor of this uber-popular yogurt brand boasts a delicious, not-too-sweet citrus taste that still provides all the nutritional benefits of Greek yogurt. This nonfat yogurt contains 140 calories and provides you with nearly one-third of your daily intake of protein as well as 15% of your daily calcium.
 
·            Best Cheese: Sargento Sliced Reduced Sodium Pepper Jack Cheese
It’s hard to cut down on salt without cutting down on flavor, but this reduced sodium cheese has a deliciously bold taste. With 70 calories, 6 grams of fat, and 90 mg of sodium, this cheese is diet-friendly.
 
·            Best Wrap: Tumaro’s New York Deli-Style Wraps in Pumpernickel
Get the distinctive taste of your favorite bread in a low-cal wrap. With just 80 calories per serving, the pumpernickel variety is made from whole-wheat flour and has a delicious deli flavor you don’t find in many wraps.
 
brown rice noodles·            Best Pasta: Annie Chun’s Pad Thai Brown Rice Noodles
This 100% whole grain pasta is a delicious substitute for brown rice, with none of the grainy texture some whole-wheat pastas can have. It’s a gluten-free alternative that’s delicious in stir-fries, soups, or pasta salads, and each serving boasts 4g of fiber.
 
·            Best Deli Meat: Applegate Farms Organic Roasted Turkey Breast
This organic meat has a wholesome and delicious flavor and is free of preservatives, antibiotics, and nitrates. Though a serving contains 360 mg of sodium, it is comparatively lower than other packaged sliced turkey breast.
 
·            Best Meat: Coleman Natural’s Chicken Meatballs Spinach, Fontina Cheese, and Roasted Garlic
These 100% natural pre-cooked chicken meatballs are free of fillers and preservatives, but full of savory flavor. Even though they contain a good bit of sodium—470 mg—they got RD and ADA spokesperson Sari Greaves’ seal of approval. “Stick to one serving and balance them with a side of steamed vegetables or a salad dressed with olive oil and vinegar/fresh lemon juice,” she advises.
 
·            Best Fish: Wild Planet Canned Wild Albacore Tuna
This canned fish is sustainably caught using environmentalist-approved fishing methods. It’s far lower in mercury and much higher in omega-3s than other canned tuna.
 
·            Best Vegetarian Entrée: Amy’s Light and Lean Black Bean and Cheese Enchilada
The filling entrée contains only 240 calories, but our tasters said it kept them full for hours, and they loved the rich and bold Southwestern flavors. Added bonus: it’s 94% organic.
 
·            Best Soup: Trader Joe’s Organic Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup Low-Sodium
Thick and savory, this boxed soup is so delicious, you’d never know it was low in sodium.

Sweet_Potato_Littles 

·            Best Kid-Friendly Dish: Dr. Praeger’s Sweet Potato Littles
These adorable sweet potato bites will be devoured in seconds. Plus, with just a few ingredients, your family won’t be getting any unwanted extras.
 
·            Best Chips: Laurel Hill Multigrain Chips
Brown rice, quinoa, flax seeds, and stone ground yellow corn combine to add fiber to this snack, and the light, crispy texture and perfect hint of salt will keep you coming back for more.
 
jalpeno pistaschios·            Best Nuts: Planters Jalapeño Pistachios
Tasters loved the spicy taste of these nuts, and pistachios are rich in heart-healthy fats, a good source of protein, and studies show they may help lower cholesterol.
 
·            Best Bar: KIND Bars Pomegranate Blueberry Pistachios
One look at this bar and you can actually see the almonds, cashews, blueberries, and raisins, packaged into an on-the-go bar. Testers liked the tart and tangy bar that wasn’t “too sweet.” With 50% of vitamins A, C, and E, you can be sure you’re getting health boost in each bite.
 
·            Best Juice: Apple & Eve Fruitables Tropical Orange Juice
Although it’s always better to get your vitamins from whole fruit, these drinks are refreshingly light. Juices from fruits and veggies, including oranges, butternut squash, and carrots, are combined with water in a portion-controlled 6.75 ounce container, with one-third less sugar than other fruit drinks.
 
·            Best Milk: Almond Breeze Original Unsweetened Almond Milk
This rich and creamy beverage is gaining popularity not only for its taste, but also its nutrition. With fewer calories than skim milk, you can get 20% of your calcium and 50% of your recommended intake of vitamin E in a to-go package.
 
·            Best Tea: Numi Tea NUMI Monkey King Jasmine Green Tea (certified organic)
Green tea is full of antioxidants and has powerful disease-fighting capabilities. This jasmine-flavored caffeinated tea was a hit with our tasters.
 barney butter snack pack
·            Best Nut Butter: Barney Butter Almond Butter Snack Packs
These 90-calorie portable packets offer easy portion control, which is crucial for this category since nut butters can be high in calories.
 
·            Best Marinara: Lucini Rustic Tomato Basil Sauce
Each bite of this marinara sauce is bursting with authentic Italian-flavor. The ingredient list is full of whole foods—tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, onions—and it is sweetened with carrot puree, not processed sugar.
 
·            Best Ice Cream: Talenti Argentine Dulce De Leche Gelato
This all-natural ice cream is made with milk that’s free of hormones and real Argentine dulce de leche, luxurious flavors that make it worth the splurge.

What do you think?  Have you tried any of these foods?  Do you have a new favorite that’s not on the list?

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Is Chocolate Really the New Superfruit? Maybe if Rick Bayless Made it at XOCO

by Janet on March 1, 2011

XOCO

photo credit: Xoco in Chicago by Kevin P on flickr.

It wasn’t that long ago when Hershey’s made news for claiming that chocolate is the superfruit. It caused a bit of hullabaloo.  Do you remember?  Don’t be too quick to trade your blueberries in for chocolate bars.  Candy is no substitute for fruit.  But actually there’s a bit of truth to this claim — or at least if you’re talking about where chocolate comes from.  Chocolate is made from the cacao plant, and cacao beans are extraordinarily rich in the same types of natural compounds that made superfruits famous. These flavonoids have been found to improve heart health by keeping blood vessels relaxed, easing blood pressure and helping circulation.

Trouble is, most chocolate bars have squeezed out the bitter-tasting flavonoids and added sugar and fat to give it the smooth, melt in your mouth quality that we’ve come to expect from our candy. Milk chocolate is typically even more diluted.  Who knows how many flavonoids you’re actually getting when you break open a Hershey bar.  That brings me to XOCO (pronounced “Sho-co”) – the new Rick Bayless cafe in Chicago that specializes in Mexican street food, including authentic tortas, caldos, churros and Mexican hot chocolate.   The housemade hot chocolate uses fresh cacao beans that are shipped in from Mexico’s Tabasco state and you can watch them grind the beans in the window of the restaurant.  Now this is chocolate.  This is what the ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations were talking about.

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photo: hot chocolate and churros by cristaa on flickr

I had the opportunity to see the hot chocolate-making in action with Shaw Lash, the executive chef at XOCO, who showed how they grind the cacao nibs until they liquefy.  She gave a shout out to Chocolate Alchemy who blogs about making your own chocolate at home..

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Here’s Shaw Lash on the right, following her demonstration (which was in the basement of Frontera Grill that’s next door to XOCO).

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It all starts with the cacao beans.

DSCN1079You break them open to find these chocolate nibs.

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The only thing they add to the chocolate is Mexican cinnamon and organic evaporated cane juice.

DSCN1078Here’s my sample of the hot chocolate, which is more savory than you would expect.

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You can order different types of hot chocolate at XOCO, including the Aztec that contains ground ancho pepper and allspice.

DSCN1077And of course, the churros.  You dip these crunchy sugar and spice-coated fried dough sticks into your hot chocolate. Amazing.  I’ll take this over a Hershey bar any day.

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So What Does It Mean To Be a Superfood?

by Janet on February 15, 2011

superfood smoothie

   Photo credit: avlxyz on flickr

We are definitely in a superfoods era.  In today’s world, it’s not enough to be nutritious, now you need to be a superfood.

What does it really mean to be a superfood?  And why are foods desperately trying to defend their superfood status?  How did this all get started any way?

I wonder if Dr. Steven Pratt, author of the first SuperFoods book, had any idea how much he’s changed the landscape.  I don’t think he had sprirulina smoothies, meal replacements and supplements in mind when he first introduced the concept of superfoods in 2004  Did he?  The book was about 14 foods that will change your life — including blueberries, beans, walnuts and spinach.superfoodcapsules 

greensuperfood

He was talking about nutrient-dense foods — a concept that’s being reinforced in the new Dietary Guideline for Americans.

These are foods that provide a high ratio of nutrients per calorie.

The new Dietary Guidelines define nutrient-dense foods as:

Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products, lean meats and poultry, seafood, eggs, beans and peas, and nuts and seeds that are prepared without added solid fats, sugars, starches, and sodium.

Ok, so maybe “superfoods” sounds sexier.  But that’s basically what it means.  And there’s a lot more to choose from than the original 14 superfoods (Pratt added 10 more in his second book).  However, I believe all fresh, whole foods belong on a superfoods list.

What I don’t think belongs are manufactured products trying to be a superfood.  But there’s a whole industry that’s sprouted up trying to convince you that they’re deserving of the superfoods title — often based on how many antioxidants they contain, if they’re derived from a mysterious berry from the Amazon or the jungles of Africa, or if they’re really really green.

I’m sorry, but those are not superfoods to me.

What is a superfood is oatmeal.

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But I found it a little sad that Quaker had to defend its position as a superfood.  Have you seen the new ad campaign?

However, this is the era that we’re in.  Of course oatmeal is a superfood, but it’s being overshadowed by pseudo superfoods. Oatmeal is deserving of the title.  And I’m OK that they’re trying to tout it.

Maybe people need to be reminded that superfoods are already in your cupboard.  They don’t come in a pill, don’t come in a green smoothie. They’re real, whole foods– and they don’t need to cost so much.  You don’t really have to eat grass.

superfoodheader

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Chicken’s Salty Little Secret

by Janet on January 14, 2011

Mar 31 - Raw chicken

photo:  courtesy of haneka on flickr

How much do you know about the chicken you buy?

If you’re not carefully reading labels, you might not realize that some brands have been injected with a salty broth.  It’s an increasingly popular practice called “poultry plumping” that  has a lot of people crying foul. You may not even be aware that it’s happening.  Yet, about one-third of the fresh chicken in supermarket meat cases in this country has been enhanced to make the meat  tastier, juicier and more tender.

Read more in my column in the January issue of  Cooking Light.

You know when you’re picking up packaged deli meats that there’s been some processing involved.  You expect bologna and other luncheon meats to contain higher levels of sodium — but fresh, raw chicken?  The juiced up varieties can contain as much as 440 milligrams of sodium per serving, or nearly 500% higher than natural, untreated chicken.   In fact, a  single serving of plumped up poultry can contain as much sodium as a large order of fast food French fries.

To me, the most troubling part of this practice is the “natural” claim that you’ll find on the label of these salt water-injected birds.  Poultry companies have gotten a green light from USDA to call their products “100% natural” or “all natural” even though they’ve been injected with extra salt and water.  Some brands mix in a seaweed extract called carrageenan that helps to retain the added water – which can be 15 percent or more of the meat’s weight.  That means if you buy a 7-pound enhanced chicken, you might get only 6 pounds of meat and end up paying a premium for 1 pound of added water.

The “natural” labeling of plumped poultry has the industry fiercely divided. The major processors who inject their poultry with salt water solutions (including Tyson and Pilgrim’s Pride) say consumers prefer it and the enhancements help keep the lean meat juicy and flavorful.  They claim their products meet the “minimally processed” description that’s required for the natural label, and the injected ingredients (including the carrageenan) do not include anything artificial.

That may be true, but seaweed and salt aren’t naturally found in chicken.  You don’t expect a whole food like this to be altered when you buy it.

The poultry processors on the other side of the debate say the practice is deceptive and they want to see the enhanced birds stripped of their “natural” moniker.  They say the industrial needle injections and high pressure vacuum tumbling that are used to enhance the poultry should not be considered “minimally processed.”

Yet most importantly, at a time when sodium consumption has risen to the top of worrisome health issues and we may see new dietary guidelines reduce daily sodium recommendations —  here’s an example when salt is being needlessly added in unexpected places.

Foster Farms, a West Coast family-owned producer, created a campaign called “Say No to Plumping” to raise awareness of the issue and promote truly natural, untreated chicken.   They’re using bloated chicken mascots dubbed the Foster Imposters to mock the use of the “all natural” label on injected poultry products and urge stricter regulations so consumers know what they’re buying.  Their commercials are rather amusing…

Processors are required to disclose the injections, but lettering can be small – just one-third the size of the largest letter in the product’s name.  The words “100% natural” will likely be what you see first so you might not look beyond this description.  During my own visits to the meat case, it wasn’t easy to quickly tell the differences between the various packages of fresh chicken – especially when the dominant visual is the fresh meat peering below the clear plastic.

To know if you’re picking up an enhanced product, you need to go beyond the bold type and look for the fine print, such as “contains up to 15% chicken broth.”  You won’t always see the word “enhanced” used – simply the percentage of added salt water.  You can also check the ingredient list to see if you spot chicken broth, salt and carrageenan, and, of course, look for the sodium content on the nutrition facts label.  If it’s truly natural, with no injections, the sodium content won’t be higher than 70 milligrams per serving.

A group called the Truthful Labeling Coalition is trying to raise awareness of poultry plumping and change the regulations that allow these salty birds to boast about being “natural.”

Did you know about this practice before?  What do you look for when you buy chicken?

See what others have said about the issue…

Center for Science in the Public Interest Pumped-Up Poultry Not “Natural”
Washington Post Crying Foul in Debate Over “Natural” Chicken
Wall Street Journal  The Fine Print:  What’s Really in a Lot of “Healthy” Foods

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FTC Puts the Squeeze on Acai Berry Weight Loss Supplements and Colon Cleansers

by Janet on August 16, 2010

Happy day.

Maybe we’ll finally get rid of all the deceptive Internet ads for acai berry supplements featuring phony endorsements attributed to Oprah and Rachael Ray.   Maybe people will save their money and not put their faith in a tiny purple Brazilian berry.

The Federal Trade Commission announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against Central Coast Nutraceuticals, a Phoenix-based company that markets acai berry weight loss supplements and colon cleansers.   The agency announced the lawsuit in Chicago today and a U.S. district court has  ordered a temporary halt on the Internet sales scheme that allegedly scammed consumers out of $30 million or more in 2009 alone through deceptive advertising and unfair billing practices. The FTC will seek a permanent prohibition.

acai-pure-cleanseSince 2007, victimized consumers have flooded law enforcement agencies and the Better Business Bureau with more than 2,800 complaints about the company, according to the FTC.  Last year, the Better Business Bureau named fake “free” trial offers – including those for acai supplements offered by the defendants in this case – as one of the “Top 10 Scams and Rip Offs of 2009.”

“Too many ‘free’ offers come with strings attached,” said David Vladeck, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “In this case, the defendants promised buyers a ‘risk free’ trial and then illegally billed their credit cards again and again – and again. We estimate that about a million people have fallen victim to this scam. As if that weren’t enough, there were fake endorsements from celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Rachael Ray for a product that didn’t work in the first place.”

The FTC charged Central Coast Nutraceuticals, Inc. two individuals (Graham D. Gibson and Michael McKenzy)  and four related companies with multiple violations, including deceptively advertising AcaiPure, an acai berry supplement, as a weight-loss product, and Colopure, a colon cleansing supplement, as an aid for preventing cancer.  The companies affiliated with Central Coast Nutraceuticals are iLife Health and Wellness LLC; Simply Naturals LLC; Health and Beauty Solutions LLC and Fit for Life LLC.

acai pure

The FTC complaint alleges that to sell AcaiPure, the marketers made dramatic claims on their website, including:

“WARNING! AcaiPure Is Fast Weight Loss That Works. It Was Not Created For Those People Who Only Want To Lose A Few Measly Pounds. AcaiPure was created to help you achieve the incredible body you have always wanted …USE WITH CAUTION! Major weight loss in short periods of time may occur.”

In pitching Colopure, the defendants cited frightening statistics about colon cancer, while promising that their product would get rid of consumers’ “excess weight and toxic buildup.”

colopure-free-trial-big-pic4The marketers also deceived consumers about their purported “free” or “risk free” trial offers, and about the charges and refund terms consumers could expect, according to the FTC’s complaint. The FTC also alleges that the marketers made numerous additional unauthorized charges to consumers’ credit and debit card accounts.

The alleged deceptive practices include:

  • Falsely claiming that using AcaiPure could lead to rapid and substantial weight loss. Consumers were told that “[m]ost consumers taking AcaiPure report weight loss anywhere from 10-25 pounds in the first month.”
  • Making unproven claims that AcaiPure’s weight-loss claims are backed by “double-blind, placebo-controlled weight loss studies.”
  • Deceptively claiming that Colopure could help prevent colon cancer because it would “cleanse your entire system,” “detoxify your organs,” and break down and remove “toxic waste matter which may have been stuck in the folds and wrinkles of your digestive system for years and years.”
  • Falsely claiming that celebrities including Oprah Winfrey and Rachael Ray have endorsed products marketed by Central Coast Nutraceuticals, Inc. In marketing AcaiPure, the defendants declared on their homepage, “Acai Berry rated #1 SUPERFOOD by Rachael Ray.” A photo of Oprah appeared on the homepage, next to a quote that read in part, “Studies have shown that this little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world!” In fact, in declarations to the FTC, both celebrities denied endorsing AcaiPure.
  • Deceptively claiming that the marketers will provide full refunds to all consumers who request them, and that consumers who paid a nominal fee for a “free” trial supply of supplements would incur no risks or obligations. In fact, many consumers found it all but impossible to avoid paying full price for the products, typically $39.95 to $59.95.
  • Failing to adequately disclose that consumers would be automatically enrolled in a membership program and charged for additional monthly supplies of a product.
  • Failing to adequately disclose that consumers would be automatically charged for items other than the trial product unless they opted out.
  • Failing to adequately disclose the terms and conditions of trial programs, membership programs, and additional charges.
  • Making numerous unauthorized charges to consumers’ credit and debit card accounts.
  • Debiting consumers’ bank accounts on an automatic, recurring basis, without obtaining proper preauthorization. The unauthorized debits violated the FTC Act as well as the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and Regulation E, according to the complaint.

NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has reason to believe that the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. The complaint is not a finding or ruling that the defendants have actually violated the law.

I’ve been concerned about the aggressive, misleading acai ads for quite some time.  Maybe you remember my previous posts, including Dirty Dealings of a Brazilian Berry. So I was thrilled to see this action today by the FTC.  It’s a drop in the bucket — so many other supplements are making outrageous claims.  But it was a little victory and I’ll take that.

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A Closer Look at the Coconut Craze: Are These Tropical Fruits All They’re Cracked Up to Be?

by Janet on July 9, 2010

Image courtesy of Flickr user neloqua
Image courtesy of Flickr user neloqua

It seems everyone is cuckoo for coconuts these days.

Coconut has emerged as a hot flavor trend – showing up in everything from ice cream and gelato to chips and snack bars. You couldn’t miss all the new coconut products at the Winter Fancy Food Show, according to The Food Channel, and at the Natural Products Expo (via Prepared Foods).

Mixologists are shaking up cocktails with coconut vodka.  And the morning after a few too many coconut cocktails, you can reach for coconut water – which is being touted as the perfect cure for a hangover.

Coconut water also has been anointed nature’s sports drink and cartons of the electrolyte-laden liquid are suddenly appearing  in gyms, yoga studios and the hands of the Hollywood elite.

Coconut oil is generating  big buzz of its own.  Some advocates claim it’s a health elixir that can prevent  heart disease, strengthen the immune system, cure cancer, fix a sluggish thyroid, burn fat and boost energy.

So  can one tropical fruit deliver all of this?

That’s the question I asked in my latest article in the Chicago Tribune.

I wasn’t sure that coconuts could really live up to all the hype, and I interviewed a couple of experts to get their thoughts.

‘The fluid of life’vitaco

Coconut water is naturally rich in potassium and this liquid found inside young, green coconuts has a long history as a medicinal drink in developing countries – including being used as an intravenous hydration fluid during medical emergencies.  This historical link to hydration  has paved the way for coconut water to become the new sports drink.

Liz Applegate, PhD, director of sports nutrition at University of California-Davis, thinks coconut water is fine to drink for hydration – if you like the taste.

One recent study that was presented at the American College of Sports Medicine found that coconut water did help athletes rehydrate after vigorous exercise.  In fact, it performed just as well as a commercial sports drink and better than plain water.  However, the coconut water was not as desirable to the athletes in the study, and Applegate said taste is key to encourage adequate hydration after a work-out.

“lf you enjoy the taste you’re apt to drink more, and that’s crucial to properly rehydrate after exercise,” said Applegate.  “if you take small sips, you may not drink enough to replace the fluids and electrolytes that were lost.”

Coconut water may fall short for the serious athlete who needs to refuel muscles after exercise.  Applegate said coconut water has fewer carbohydrates compared to commercial sports drinks so it may not be sufficient for longer workouts lasting an hour or more.   Plus, it lacks the sodium levels found in other sports drinks – which is the primary electrolyte that needs to be replaced after strenuous activity.  Applegate said she’s disturbed that the coconut water companies put so much emphasis on potassium to prevent cramping, because when you sweat you lose sodium.  “They’re promoting more misconceptions,” she said.

So what do I think?  Coconut water is lower in calories compared to soft drinks and juices, and unflavored varieties don’t contain added sugars.  So grabbing a carton of coconut water may be a better alternative than sugar-sweetened beverages.  You could certainly do a lot worse.  Drink coconut water if you enjoy the taste and you find it refreshing.  However, don’t expect the drink to “detoxify,” help you lose weight or make your skin smoother  — some of the additional claims linked to coconut water.

Slick marketingcoconut oil

Coconut oil is being heavily promoted on websites, where you can read stunning  testimonials about the oil’s ability to prevent and cure a range of ailments – statements that sparked a series of warning letters from the Food and Drug Administration citing unsubstantiated therapeutic claims.

Most of these sites that promote and sell coconut oil (including jars of virgin coconut oil and coconut oil supplements) originate from coconut-producing countries – including India, Indonesian and the Philippines.

Instead of research studies, you’ll find articles written by coconut oil advocates including naturopathic  physician Bruce Fife, director of the Coconut Research Center and  author of “The Coconut Oil Miracle,” and Mary Enig, vice president of the Weston  A. Price Foundation – an often controversial organization that is critical of “traditional diets” and extols the benefits of saturated fat.

Many of the arguments made by these coconut oil enthusiasts are related to the low rates of heart disease in tropical populations that have consumed large quantities of coconut oil for centuries.

Yet, that’s not reliable evidence, according to Linda Van Horn,  chair of the nutrition committee for the American Heart Association, who said other diet and lifestyle factors play a larger role.

“Those kinds of statements are always problematic,” she said.

Coconut oil may not contain cholesterol, but it’s  the most saturated of all fats – including butter.   It has 10 times more saturated fat compared to olive oil.

Saturated fat is the main culprit in raising blood cholesterol and the American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat to less than 7 percent of daily calories.  That translates to about 16 grams of saturated fat a day based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

As a consultant to the coconut industry, Enig  has made numerous presentations providing  an  update on her efforts to educate the American public on the benefits of coconut  oil. She calls  coconut oil  a “functional food” that is capable of not only fighting heart disease, but preventing cancer and treating AIDs.  She  recommends eating 3-5 tablespoons of coconut oil every day, which would add up to as much as 600 calories and 65 grams of saturated fat.

“Show us the data,” said Van Horn, who recently completed an extensive review of the scientific literature as  chair of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, which reinforced the limits on saturated fats.  She said there are no clinical trials to support the claims made by the coconut industry, yet there is substantial evidence  to suggest the opposite is true.

Don’t you find it strange that the ONLY people who claim that coconut oil has such miraculous powers are those linked to the coconut-producing countries?  No independent scientists or health organizations are recommending that we go out and eat coconut oil by the spoonfuls to protect our health.  Yes, the saturated fat in coconut oil may differ from other saturated fats.  This much is true.  But there’s no scientific evidence that the fat in coconut has any protective effects.  Even if it’s neutral, there’s no reason to go out of your way to add coconut oil to your diet.

Plus, if you switch to coconut oil for cooking at home, you’re not only adding more  saturated fats to your diet, you’re missing out on the well-documented benefits  of olive oil and other unsaturated oils.  It’s not a trade I’d recommend.

Bottom line…

Coconuts are certainly enjoying their day in the sun, and there are now a bunch of  new ways to buy them. Eat coconuts because you enjoy them — not because you think they can work miracles.

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