The world has been like this for quite some time, and the more one learns, the worse it seems. At least that is how it’s been for me. Fortunately, once you get past the shock, you’ll quickly gain the knowledge needed to avoid misleading food labels and other unhealthy influences.

Regulation might help, but the major food companies have political lobbyists to get around it. Education is what I think will make the most difference, but people can’t expect the appropriate knowledge to be handed to them. They have to take responsibility and go after it!

Jon – Thanks for the encouragement! If more people would simply take better care of themselves, I think it would have a tremendously good impact on our health care problems. In case you didn’t already see it, I wrote about my thoughts on health care a few weeks ago.

meatlessmama – I’m glad that you agree! It’s unfortunate how many people expect others to be responsible for them, and not only in regard to their health.

George – Funny! Thanks for stopping by!

Jen – Exactly! I find it ridiculous as well which is why I included the quote.

ægil – The Smart Choices Program does actually endorse some reasonably healthy foods such as frozen vegetables, but I don’t think any of the products that they endorse are organic. I think it’s unfortunate that this program establishes a common link between foods like frozen vegetables and foods that are highly processed like Froot Loops. For the most part, I think you’re right. The existence of the Smart Choices Program’s green check mark on a food item should be an indication to leave it on the shelf.

The smartest foods to choose can be sold with no label at all!

Stephen – Yes, the green check mark on the Froot Loop box says it all!

Hey, wait – we already know what to do: A real smart food choice already has a label: fresh, natural and unadulterated (without excessive printing, ingredients list, nutrition facts and heavy packaging).

If real smart food choices already have their natural label, what is the use of throwing away money for a ridiculous label [now thats funny].

In the end, we should use our intuition. Our intuition is powerful! We can label food ourselves based on our education level! Our education level can make the criteria, so an open mind is important, which is a good mate to intuition.

We should not put that labeling responsiblity to others but ourselves. We already specify criteria, based on perception, on every food that goes to our tummy. Labels equal criteria.

Vin, you simplified the distinction! Actually the distinction is naturally simple! But hard to do because of their influence.

Ok… first I choked, then I laughed out loud at this quote:

“According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, in some cases, small amounts of sugars added to nutrient-dense foods, such as breakfast cereals and reduced-fat milk products, may increase a person’s intake of such foods by enhancing the palatability of these products, thus improving nutrient intake without contributing excessive calories.”

Are they *bleeping* joking?!? In essence, they’re saying “In order to choke down our processed, carboard tasting crap… just add some sugar to make it palatable.” Ubelievable! I am OUTRAGED that they actually refer to processed, cardboard tasting crap, oh I mean cereal, and reduced-fat milk products as nutrient dense… what?!?

I better stop now.