January 6, 2012

Beware

There is not enough that can be said about reading all labels on each product that you purchase that you will put ion your mouth.  Five words that you really want to beware of include: Sodium, Hydrogenated, Carbohydrate, Sugar, and Trans Fat.

Sodium  is a chemical element with the symbol Na (from Latin: natrium) and atomic number 11.

Hydrogenated fat is part of a large group of fats called "trans fats." This group contains any type of oil that has been completely or partially hydrogenated. Technically, hydrogenated fats are produced when hydrogen is added to oil, which turns the liquid oil into a solid block of fat.

Carbohydrates include complex carbohydrates, like starches, and simple sugars such as white sugar, high fructose corn syrup and honey. Choose 100% whole grains and fruits and vegetables for most of your carbohydrates. Balance your carbohydrate choices with protein sources such as lean meat, poultry, eggs, or fish, and some healthy fat such as olive oil, avocado or nuts and seeds.
Plan your meals and menus for a few days at a time and stock up on healthy high-fiber carbohydrate sources. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes all contain carbohydrates and are high in fiber, which is good for your digestive system and can help you lose weight by keeping you feeling full between meals.
Sugar is a simple, edible, crystalline carbohydrate. Sugar comes in many different forms, however, all types have a sweet flavor. The main types of sugar are sucrose, lactose and fructose. Common table sugar is typically sucrose which is extracted from cane or beets. Sugar is added to many foods, and drinks. 
Trans fat is the common name for unsaturated fat with trans-isomer (E-isomer) fatty acid(s). Because the term refers to the configuration of a double carbon-carbon bond, trans fats are sometimes monounsaturated or polyunsaturated, but never saturated. Trans fats do not exist in living nature, but can occur in food production process.
The consumption of trans fats increases the risk of coronary heart disease by raising levels of LDL cholesterol and lowering levels of "good" HDL cholesterol. Health authorities worldwide recommend that consumption of trans fat be reduced to trace amounts. Trans fats from partially hydrogenated oils are more harmful than naturally occurring oils.
The main reason you want to beware of these five words is because of the quantities that are added to that food product that you buy.  Check at www.pyramid.com to see how many you need for your particular body weight.