What's Really in Your Food
THE CLAIM: "0 grams trans fat"
The FDA defines "zero grams" as 0.4 grams or less. So the potato
chips that tout "0 grams of trans fat" may hold up to 0.4 grams per
serving — and even a small bag of chips can contain several servings. "If
you only have one serving, it may not be a big deal, but most of us eat more
than one, so the trans fat can add up quickly," says Blake.
Bottom line: To determine whether a product actually contains some
trans fat, scan the ingredient list for partially hydrogenated oil or
shortening — these are just fancy words for trans fat.
THE CLAIM: "May help reduce the risk of heart disease" or "Heart-healthy"
Any claim that mentions a disease is backed by the FDA, meaning that the
manufacturer has provided evidence to support that statement. A
"heart-healthy" symbol indicates that the food has passed the American
Heart Association's certification program, requiring that it contain no more
than 1 gram of saturated fat and 20 grams of cholesterol per serving.
Bottom line: Seek out the "heart-healthy" symbol. And if a
claim names a disease, know that there's some scientific proof to back it
THE CLAIM: "Calcium helps build strong bones"
This is an example of what's called a structure/function claim. "These
are confusing, because they aren't really about the food," says Blake. The
FDA requires that claims describing the effect of a nutrient on the body — such
as "fiber lowers cholesterol" — be truthful, but these claims don't
guarantee that the food contains any particular amount of that nutrient. So
while it's true that calcium does build strong bones, for instance, that claim
could appear on a chocolate bar — which has calcium from milk, sure, but may
have much more sugar and fat, making it less healthful than other calcium-rich
foods, like yogurt.
Bottom line: Ignore functional claims altogether.
THE CLAIM: "Probiotic cultures"
Probiotics — healthy bacteria that keep harmful bacteria at bay in your
digestive tract — have been linked in studies with improving gastrointestinal
health and boosting immunity. But the FDA hasn't set standards for probiotics,
so there's no way to know for sure that there's live, active bacteria in the
yogurt or other products you see labeled with that word — let alone enough
bacteria to offer these benefits.
Bottom line: Make sure you're getting live bacteria by buying
yogurts such as Yoplait or Stonyfield that carry the National Yogurt
Association Live & Active Cultures seal or have the words contains live
and active cultures on the label. Whether or not you get enough cultures to
reap the purported perks, you're still eating a food that's high in protein and
calcium — crucial nutrients, especially for women.