Myth: There's no reason for a lot of the food packages I buy at grocery stores to be half empty.

Answer: BUSTED!

There may be good reasons for that half empty package. Actually, the empty space in a package is called “slack fill.” That space may be there to keep the product from breaking. In the case of potato chips, which break easily, the empty space can provide cushioning when bags are stacked. However, sometimes companies keep packages the same size (with the resulting empty space) because they don’t want to change their machinery to make a different size package. In the case of grocery stores, a standard package size is used to base the cost of shelf space that a company pays for.

In this environmentally conscious world, many consumers value a company that reduces packaging thus reducing the carbon footprint of their products. So, many companies are now aiming for less packaging and trying to avoid packages with a lot of empty space.

The federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act protects consumers from the abuse of “slack fill” by companies, to some extent.

If you have a complaint about a food package with empty space, contact your state’s FDA complaint coordinator at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ConsumerComplaintCoordinators/default.htm.

Visit the MissouriFamilies website for more information about nutrition and health.

Contributor: Ellen Schuster, M.S., R.D., Associate State Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, schusterer@missouri.edu, 573-882-1933

Myth: It’s too hard to balance my calories so that I have a healthy weight.

Answer: BUSTED!

Here are 3 things you can start doing right now to help you balance your calories and achieve a healthy weight:

1. TRACK
   Track the calories you get each day to get an idea of how many calories you are getting. You can do this online at http://www.mypyramidtracker.gov.
2. READ
   Read Nutrition Facts labels (especially the calories and number of servings) and online calorie information about foods. Read calorie information in brochures that restaurants or fast food places provide onsite. Read calorie information on menus or menu boards at restaurants that provide this information.
3. CHOOSE
   Choose these healthy behaviors:
   
   • Choose to prepare food at home. YOU have control over what goes in your food, like less added fat and sugar.
   • Choose to include more vegetables and fruits in your diet – they fill you up and keep you satisfied with less calories.
   • Choose to be active each day.
   • Choose smaller portions wherever you make food choices – at restaurants, at home and when you snack in front of the TV.

Visit the MissouriFamilies website for more information about nutrition and health.

Contributor: Ellen Schuster, M.S., R.D., Associate State Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, schusterer@missouri.edu, 573-882-1933

Myth: It’s not safe to eat food imported from Japan.

Answer: BUSTED!

As of today no food is being exported from the affected area of Japan. The Food and Drug Administration is continuing its systematic efforts to screen food imports and get information about where they are grown, harvested or manufactured. FDA has a list of companies and manufacturing facilities in the affected area of Japan and will pay special attention to imports from those locations. You can read more about how food is tracked for safety at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm247403.htm.

Common foods that come from Japan include seafood, snack foods, dairy foods, processed fruits and vegetables and dietary supplements. All foods imported from Japan make up less than 4 percent of foods imported from all sources. Dairy products make up only one-tenth of one percent of all FDA-regulated products coming from Japan. Less than two percent of the seafood consumed in the United States is imported from Japan.

Visit the MissouriFamilies website for more information about food safety.

Contributor: Ellen Schuster, M.S., R.D., Associate State Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, schusterer@missouri.edu, 573-882-1933

Myth: Specific words on a food package help me make better food choices.

Answer: BUSTED!

Does the word “farmer” on a food label influence your decision to choose one food over another? Is a food marketed with “farmer” on the label an indication that the food is a healthy choice? Not necessarily. Consider two frozen lasagna options from the same company – one labeled as “farmers’ harvest” and one “lasagna.” Comparing the Nutrition Facts panels from each package you see that the “farmers’ harvest” lasagna has 360 calories, 12 grams of fat, 810 mg of sodium and 5 grams of fiber (it’s made with whole grain pasta). The other lasagna is similar when you look at the information on the Nutrition Facts panel: 350 calories, 11 grams of fat, 930 mg of sodium and 3 grams of fiber. It’s true that you get 2 more grams of fiber with the “farmers’ harvest” lasagna and 120 less mg of sodium but you also get a bit more calories and 1 additional gram of fat. So what’s a consumer to do?

Try to avoid being influenced by the marketing hype. Instead take the time to read the Nutrition Facts panel. When choosing frozen entrees, seek those that are about 300-500 calories with 10-18 grams of fat, 800 or less mg of sodium and 3 to 5 grams of fiber. These are not hard and fast rules, just guidelines. Remember that the frozen entrée you are choosing is only one of the many food choices you are making on any given day. If your allotted calories are 2000 calories for the day, 500 calories or more will leave you with only 1500 calories left for the day. And if you are seeking to get the 20-35 grams of fiber most of us need each day you will need to choose vegetables, fruits, beans and other whole grains for the rest of the day to get the fiber you need.

For quick and easy meal choices and other tips to help you choose frozen meals, visit the MissouriFamilies website at http://missourifamilies.org/features/nutritionarticles/nut332.htm.

Contributor: Ellen Schuster, M.S., R.D., Associate State Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, schusterer@missouri.edu, 573-882-1933

Myth: If I take a carnitine supplement it will help me lose fat quickly.

Answer: BUSTED!

Everyone would love to find that ‘magic pill’ that instantly sheds unwanted pounds. The current selection of weight loss pills on the market is endless and each one claims the same results – quick and easy weight loss. Carnitine is currently marketed as another ‘magic pill’ that promises to burn large amounts of fat in a short period of time. Carnitine is involved with the breakdown of fat in the body, and some believe that over-supplementing with this nutrient will cause fast weight loss. While this theory sounds promising, the current research shows that this supplement is not effective for weight loss. There is also concern with consuming greater than 3 grams per day because it has shown side effects that include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and could possibly lead to kidney disease. The major concern with carnitine and several other supplements is that the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate or regularly test them, and therefore these products cannot be guaranteed safe.

There is no magic pill!

The best and healthiest way to lose weight is to be physically active and have a well-balanced diet. Visit Missouri Families for additional nutrition and health information.

Contributors: Andrea Cossetta, St. Louis University Dietetic Intern & Mary Wissmann, MS, RD, LD, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, St. Louis County, University of Missouri Extension, WissmannM@missouri.edu