Hello Loyal Soup People!
There, I said it! I hate the pretty pictures, the call outs, the nutritional claims, and all the fancy designs that producers put on the front of packages. They are often misleading, confusing, and in some cases, simply untruthful.
Some of the worst offenders include:
– “Multi-grain” bread. Don’t be fooled by the pictures of farmers and fields of wheat on the front. Also, don’t buy into the “whole grain” hype! Check out the ingredient list and you’ll find sugar, white flour, and salt. There are definitely bread companies that offer authentic, whole grain products. They just usually don’t bother with the pretty pictures.
– “All natural” tomato sauce. Don’t be fooled by the drawings of grandmothers stirring pots of sauce. A quick glance on the back labels reveals the truth – sugar and salt. In fact, tomato sauce is a highly overlooked source of hidden added sugar.
– Vegetable and fruit juices. Do you ever reach for a bottle of “green superfood” juice or a smoothie? The pictures of kale, peaches, and berries are so enticing! Check out the first ingredient on the back label: apple juice. You’re buying a sugary bottle of apple juice! That doesn’t sound like a superfood to me!
As I’ve mentioned before – big food producers spend a LOT of money figuring out how to entice us to pick their product off the shelf (pretty pictures!), and then keep purchasing (making it addictive with added sugar, fat, and salt). Stay informed, educate yourself, and own your health. The back label should be your front label!
Love,
Soupermom
*NOTE – Soupermom is not a licensed dietitian, doctor, personal trainer, or anything like that. She’s just extremely knowledgeable about healthy living!! But if you slip and fall while taking her advice, it is not her fault!
Marilyn Polon (Soupermom), Co-Founder and CAO (chief anxiety officer) has been worried about Soupergirl since the company launched in 2008. Actually, even before that. Her career has also been random and fascinating. After twenty years as a speech therapist, Soupermom changed careers and became a volunteer coordinator. She then had a wonderful stint as a docent at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. She was then dragged out of retirement by her daughter who insisted that they start a soup company. Could that be any more random?
All of the company’s recipes come from Soupermom’s kitchen. Honestly, she’s a testament to the power of healthy eating. Her hobbies include really long hikes, walking, doting on her granddaughters, and coming up with new recipes for Soupergirl. She is also a guru of all things health related but gets the words to every single song she sings incorrect. All of them. Loudly. Lastly, her laugh is contagious.