In this video health tip, Tony is back in the grocery store to look at the ingredients on two different versions (original and blueberry) of the popular snack Fig Newtons.
What’s in a Fig Newton?
Remember that the earlier an ingredient is listed on a label, the more of that ingredient is in the product. With this in mind, it’s tragic that there is more high fructose corn syrup and sugar in Fig Newtons than there is fig. Two different sweeteners in the first three ingredients on a package is more than a red flag, it’s factory with no windows that operates only at night and manufacturers nothing but giant red flags.
The presence of high fructose corn syrup is especially concerning. If you see high fructose corn syrup on products, I highly recommend avoiding it at all costs. Why? Because HFCS his addictive and can lead to over eating and obesity, which, of course, increase profits of food companies. If you’re skeptical that HFCS is addictive, simply avoid it for a week. If you start getting headaches or other withdrawal symptoms in the first 2-3 days without it, that’s your indicator that you’re hooked. The good news is these withdrawal symptoms rarely last more than four days.
Remember too, that Fig Newtons are manufacturers by Nabisco, which has a track record of producing products with harmful ingredients and whose parent company Altria, was once owned by Phillip Morris, the tobacco giant. The same Phillip Morris which put an addictive chemicals (nicotine) in its product for years and lied about the impact and harm under oath during congressional testimony. Why in the world would you trust these people to make your food? Would you go to a restaurant if the cook was found guilty of spiking the food with addictive and harmful chemicals and then lying to a judge about it? Just prior to the creepy Phillip Morris-Kraft marriage (1989), Kraft created a parent company called “Atria” so the American people didn’t see “Phillip Morris purchases Kraft” they saw “Altria purchases Kraft.”
Kraft is huge and boasts the following brands (and more) in its portfolio: Post Cereals, Capri Sun, Jell-O, Nabisco, Planters Nuts, Miracle Whip, Oscar Meyer, Kool-Aid, Philadelphia/Velveeta/Kraft/Polly-o/Cracker Barrel Cheese’s, A-1 Steak Sauce, Stove Top stuffing.
For a similar video where Tony investigates the ingredients in Oreos, click here.
For a video where Tony investigates what is in fortune cookies, click here.
Sources: http://www.altria.com/…/Our_History/default.aspx; http://www.kraftfoodsgroup.com/Brands/index.aspx; http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130606-904320.html; Addiction expert and Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Applied Cognitive Science at the University of Guelph.