I. Nutrient Additives-Can You Spot Them on the Label? Food Safety.
When you buy prepared foods at the store, do you know what is in them? Are there words on the ingredients list of the label that you don't recognize? There are many types of food additives such as added vitamins, preservatives, gums, sulfites, food colorings, sweeteners, and fat substitutes. Many of these additives give food a more appealing texture, appearance, or taste, and prolong shelf life.
Label-Reading Exercise:
1. Select a food such as cookies, bread, or another type of snack food. Choose a low-fat/-sodium version or a typical version of this food. (pick a food with more than five ingredients!)
2. List five of the ingredients on the label that you do not recognize in the chart below. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has a website with an excellent article with a comprehensive listing of additives. You can locate this article by searching for "Food Additives" on the website at www.cspinet.org.
3. Use the website to identify the type of additive in the "Type of Additive" column." In the "Comments" column state how the additive benefits the food, or is there are any health concern associated with this additive.
4. The "Types of Additives" on the next page are for your reference. It is a good summary of the most commonly used additives.
Food item ____________________________ Version of food ______________________________
|
Ingredient
|
Type of Additive
|
Comments
|
|
1.
|
|
|
|
2.
|
|
|
|
3.
|
|
|
|
4.
|
|
|
|
5.
|
|
|
Types of Additives:
|
Preservatives
|
BHA or BHT preserves the oils in foods to prevent them from tasting bad. Sodium nitrates are used to preserve the flavor and color of prepared deli meats as well as inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria.
Sulfites prevent oxidation in may processed foods, wine, and some drugs. Sulfites are used to keep dried produce from getting discolored.
|
|
Artificial Colors
|
Blue 1 & 2, Citrus Red 2, Green 3, Red 3 & 40, Yellow 5 & 6 are used to give foods a more desirable or striking appearance.
|
|
Gums
|
Carrageenan, guar, locust bean, or xanthans are used to thicken and keep foods from separating.
|
|
Nonnutritive Sweeteners
|
Aspartame, saccharin, mannitol, stevia, sorbitol, or sucrolose provides a high level of sweetening power for a small amount. This reduces the calories in a food (see Table 12-15).
|
|
Sweeteners
|
High-fructose corn syrup or corn syrups are used in food to give them sweetness at a reasonable cost to the food manufacturer. These additives do add calories to the food.
|
|
Olestra
|
A fat substitute that gives foods a "fatty" feel without the calories.
|
|
Vitamins and Minerals
|
Many enriched foods such as baked goods have additional vitamins or minerals added to increase their nutrient content.
Beta-carotene or retinal (vitamin A), alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and thiamin mononitrate (vitamin B1) are examples of added vitamins.
Phosphates and sodium chloride are found in foods.
|
There are other additives and more types than what are listed above.
References:
"CSPI's Guide to Food Additives" on the website at www.cspinet.org.
Girard-Eberle, Suzanne, Common Food Additives: Safe at the Plate. Delicious Living Dec00.
II. Pregnancy and Lactation:
The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative: www.babyfriendlyusa.org
On the top bar, click on "ABOUT US." Then, on the left hand margin, click on "BABY-FRIENDLY HOSPITAL INITIATIVE."
1. Why is the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative important?
2. Choose one of the TEN STEPS: Write the step and explain how it contributes to breastfeeding success.
3. How many Baby-Friendly Hospitals are there in the United States? _________
4. How many BFH are there in New York State? _________
5. List the hospitals designated as Baby-friendly in New York State.
6. How well do you think New York State is doing when it comes to supporting breastfeeding? Provide support for your comment; i.e. use numbers, statistics, compare states. (You will be able to share your thoughts here on the final discussion board forum which will be available soon).
World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action: www.waba.org.my. Take a few minutes to scroll down the home page to see what the news is in the world of breastfeeding.
On the top bar of the home page, click on "About"
7. When was the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action formed? __________________
8. Explain what they do.
The 2016 Theme for World Breastfeeding Week is "Breastfeeding: A Key to Sustainable Development." (OR click on "What we do" and go to World Breastfeeding Week OR just Google "world breastfeeding week 2016").
9. Explain this year's theme. Provide some facts/detail from the website.
III. Juice Drink Label Analysis; Child Nutrition.
Instructions: Use the juice drink label below to answer the questions.
|
Nutrition Facts
|
|
Serving Size 200ml
|
|
Servings Per Container 10
|
|
Amount Per Serving
|
|
Calories 100
|
Calories from Fat 0
|
|
|
% Daily Value*
|
|
Total Fat 0g
|
0%
|
|
Saturated Fat 0g
|
0%
|
|
Trans Fat 0g
|
|
|
Cholesterol 0mg
|
0%
|
|
Sodium 15mg
|
1%
|
|
Total Carbohydrate 27g
|
9%
|
|
Dietary Fiber 0g
|
0%
|
|
Sugars 27g
|
|
|
Protein 0g
|
|
|
Vitamin A 0%
|
|
Vitamin C 20%
|
|
Calcium 0%
|
|
Iron 0%
|
|
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
|
|
|
Calories
|
2,000
|
2,500
|
|
Total Fat
|
Less than
|
65g
|
80g
|
|
Sat Fat
|
Less than
|
20g
|
25g
|
|
Cholesterol
|
Less than
|
300mg
|
300mg
|
|
Sodium
|
Less than
|
2400mg
|
2400mg
|
|
Total Carbohydrate
|
|
300g
|
375g
|
|
Dietary Fiber
|
|
25g
|
30g
|
|
Ingredients: Water, high fructose corn syrup, apple and grape juice concentrates, citric acid, strawberry juice concentrate, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), vitamin E acetate, natural flavor.
|
1. a. What is the serving size of this product?
b. How many cups is this?
2. What percentage of the total carbohydrates comes from sugars?
3. a. What is the most prevalent ingredient in this product other than water?
b. What is this ingredient?
4. a. Is this a good drink choice for a school-age child? Why or why not?
b. Can you suggest other beverages that a child could drink instead of this product?
IV. Ensuring Adequate Nutrition for the Elderly: The Aging Adult.
Meals on Wheels: https://www.mowaa.org
Describe Meals on Wheels - Who do they serve? What do they provide? Who qualifies? What percentage of seniors struggle with hunger in NY State? What concerns are there over the aging of America?
There are many other state-supported programs for food distribution for the elderly. The following links provide information about such programs:
www.fns.usda.gov
www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/HCLTC/Nutrition_Services/index.aspx