Fare Trade.

My interest in eating locally, organically, and with purpose has increasingly dictated my food life over the past two years.  Most recently, this idea has manifested in swapping out some ingredients and edibles in my fridge and cabinets for better options. 

But better how?

As a result of my research into what foods and ingredients I should avoid, I have also unearthed what I need to purchase instead.  I made some shocking discoveries while going out with the old and in with the new.  It’s scary that I’ve been consuming these ingredients for most of my life, but as they say, “you have to start somewhere.” 

A few of my swappable foods are posted below - retirees on the left, and green horns on the right.  It’s almost comical how ridiculous some of the ingredient lists are, but then I realize how detrimental these seemingly innocent items can be.

Single: Syrup. 

Double: Juice.

Triple: Butter/Margarine.

Home run: Bread crumbs.

Like I said - scary.  I listed the bread crumbs as a "home run" for a reason, 30+ items versus four.   As far as butter is concerned, I've had the philosophy for years that it's more healthy than margarine.  It's still butter, but this at least puts the difference into perspective.  The syrup is an easy swap to make, and the first pic of juice shows "21% juice."  If it IS in fact juice, what is the other 79%?

So here we go - just in case the comparative pics aren't enough...

Some questions I ask when comparing products at the food store:

The beginning of the ingredient lists:

Are the first few ingredients recognizable or unpronounceable?

Is a form of sugar listed?

The end of the lists:

Are various sodium ingredients listed?

Does the word “preservative” appear?

The overall lists:

Can you pronounce the ingredients?

Is the list eerily long for such a simple food?  (like bread crumbs?)

Three tips when comparing products’ ingredient lists:

(1) go with the shorter list of ingredients

(2) favor that which you can pronounce

(3) choose organic when possible

Choosing organic food is usually the easiest way to avoid having to be so conscious of the ingredient list… usually.  Many organic foods will also exclude GMOs, preservatives, artificial additives, and of course the unnamed ingredient i.e. pesticides.  I know it means spending more money, but what is preferable - investing in food, and ultimately the body, now, or fixing what is broken later on down the road and pay for medical bills? 

Make the swaps, the sooner the better.