My... this is heavy

Get an inside look at what you eat, writes Sara Saleh.

Label logic

Nowadays, eating healthy doesn't seem like much of a burden when supermarket shelves are packed with alternative and very alluring 'low- fat' and 'reduced-calorie' food options. Unable to resist, we end up letting ourselves be duped into thinking we're making 'healthy' choices that couldn't be easier (or tastier), enjoying our naughty favourites and getting away with it.

Fortunately, many manufacturers have been responsive to health experts' and consumers' concerns, and have been removing trans-fats from and reducing salt levels in some processed foods. However, there is nothing to stop them from misleading us into believing certain foods are healthier than they actually are.

When Less can mean More

Because labelling legislation is vague, health claims might not always have sufficient scientific backing. For instance even though there is no legal definition of 'low-fat', 3 to 20 per cent is generally considered a moderate amount of total fat in food - but this conveniently says nothing about the high sugar content in some 'low- fat' foods.

As a guideline, 'reduced fat' or 'reduced calorie' claims on labels means the food should be 25 per cent lower in fat or in calories than the standard product - but that still doesn't mean it's at the lower end of the fat-content spectrum, and 'reduced calorie' or 'lighter' isn't the same as actually being 'low in calories'.

The healthiest food you can buy is usually label free, and that's fresh ingredients! Beware of labels and look for the government-approved rating (if there is one), and look even more carefully if there isn't.

- Source: www.smh.com.au

BREAKING IT DOWN
What's in the Food You Eat?

As teenagers in the UAE, junk food is the first thing we say hello to in the morning and the last thing we close our eyes to in the evening - it's everywhere!

Giving you an inside look at some of the most popular junk foods, we're not attempting to guilt you into leading healthy lifestyles... just be aware and make the right choices before you impulsively reach for your next snack.

If it's pizza night with the boys, then lighten up lunch. Are the girls meeting over coffee? Replace whole with skim milk and go easy on the flavoured syrup.

Za'atar manou'cheh
Calories: 530
Total fat content: 36g, 5g saturated
Carbohydrate: 44g
Sodium: 585mg

1 slice of a large Pizza Hut Super Supreme pan pizza (thin crust)
Calories: 320 (150 from fat)
Total fat content: 17g, 6g saturated
Cholesterol: 30mg
Sugars: 28g
Sodium: 700mg

One scoop of ice cream in a waffle cone
Calories: 613.5 (482 from fat)
Total fat content: 53.55g
Cholesterol: 154.79mg
Total carbohydrates including sugars: 115g
Sodium: 324g

Chocolate brownie, average size (140g)
Calories: 580 (210 from fat)
Total fat content: 23g, 5g saturated
Cholesterol: 95mg
Sugars: 65g
Sodium: 350mg

Coca-Cola 355 ml can
Calories: 140 (0 from fat)
Total fat content: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sugars: 39mg
Sodium: 50mg

1 tall-sized Starbucks caramel Frappuccino coffee blended with whipped cream
Calories: 320 (108 from fat)
Total fat content: 12g, 8g saturated
Cholesterol: 50mg
Sugars: 40g
Sodium: 200mg

- The writer is an International Student Correspondent for NOTES, studying at the University of Sydney, Australia.