Sometimes, you might see food labels that contain words that are exactly similar to what you want to read in a label. This is known as delusional labeling where the manufacturers make you believe that the product contains exactly what you need and you should buy it at all costs.
Following are the few tips available in the' Journal of Consumer Research' that can help dieters from all backgrounds escape the delusions cast by manufacturers.
Chewing Candy or Fruit - Many dieters have fallen for the trick, buying chewy candies that are labeled to have fruit content in them. If you look closely at some brands, you'll see that the chewy food contained inside is of the same in size and shape regardless of its contents. The chewy candy contains nothing but calories and sugar coated with food coloring. Avoid being fooled and verify the ingredients before making your purchase.
Juice and Flavored Water - Dieticians often stress on the importance of drinking ample amounts of water every day. While some people stick to plain water, others try to replace it juices and bottled water that has been flavored. These flavored waters contain nothing but artificial sweeteners or sugar, making them good in taste but bad for health.
Squeezing a glass of fresh juice may seem arduous and messy, but the natural sugar (fructose) and minerals plus vitamins are sure worth the effort. If you can't find any fresh fruit in your house, go buy some or stick to plain water.
Smoothies against Milkshakes - Labeling milkshakes with 'smoothies' is a common trick adopted by many manufacturers for getting dieters to buy these fat filled and calorie infused drinks. Smoothies are made with reasonable ingredients distributed in fair portions and so you should always check the label of a particular 'smoothie' that you're about to purchase.
Not so Healthy Salads - When decide to dine outside, be certain to ask for specific toppings on your salads. Many salads that are presumed to be healthy contain calorie increasing ingredients like cheese, croutons, avocado, beans, chicken and excess of salad dressing. Asking the attendant about the salad creating process might also help. You could always stick to a small portion of pasta instead of worrying about the ingredients and calorie contents of your salad.
Chips: Veggie or Potato? - Any vegetable can be cut up in the form of chips and deep fried within fats that have an abnormally high count of calories. Don't fool yourself by thinking that veggie chips are a healthier option because potatoes are also counted in the vegetable group. Since both chips are fried and may as well contain the same amount of trans fat, keep your portion intake in check and you'll be fine.
Never hold back any questions that you have in your mind regarding the ingredients or cooking method of a particular food item. Take your time in reading labels thoroughly and you will find what you're looking for because sometimes, maintaining your health does take a little effort.
Source: http://ph.she.yahoo.com