Langsung ke konten utama

Real vs Fake - Part 1

In this first post talking about real food versus fake food, I'd like to discuss one of my biggest pet peeves: cheese. So much fake cheese is manufactured these days, sometimes it is hard to tell the difference - but because of labeling requirements in the US and elsewhere, you can tell the difference if you look for certain key words.

Real or Fake?




Yep - fake food. See the words "cheese product" at the bottom of the page? Any time the product says "cheese product" or "cheese food", you know it is not real cheese. The USDA requires fake cheese to be identified this way.
Cheese product has had modification of the water and butterfat levels, a lot of substances may be added to pasteurized process cheese food, such as dry milk, whey solids,  and anhydrous milk fat. The list is longer for pasteurized process cheese spread, which can contain sweeteners and stabilizers (substances that prevent separation), such as xanthan gum or carrageenan. In a former life, it was cheese - but it has been too "messed around with" to be labeled cheese - by anyone.


Some definitions:


 Pasteurized process cheese food is a variation of process cheese that may have dry milk, whey solids, or anhydrous milkfat added, which reduces the amount of cheese in the finished product. It must contain at least 51% of the cheese ingredient by weight, have a moisture content less than 44%, and have at least 23% milkfat.
 Pasteurized process cheese spread is a variation on cheese food that may contain a sweetener and a stabilizing agent, such as the polysaccharide xanthan gum or the Irish moss colloid carrageenan, to prevent separation of the ingredients. The cheese must be spreadable at 70 F, contain 44 to 60% moisture, and have at least 20% milkfat.
 Pasteurized process cheese product is process cheese that doesn't meet the moisture and/or milkfat standards.
 Imitation cheese is made from vegetable oil; it is less expensive, but also has less flavor and doesn't melt well.


For the record, Velveeta is pasteurized process cheese spread and Velveeta Light is pasteurized process cheese product. Cheez Whiz is labeled as pasteurized process cheese sauce

 Real or Fake?








Yes, fake again. Here, they don't even call it cheese. It is just "Parmesan style topping" - ewww. You are much better off buying a small wedge of real Parmesan and grating it yourself. This is a shaker can full of powdered chemicals and cheese leftovers.



If cheese is part of your clean eating nutritional choices, take steps to ensure what you are eating IS cheese. Read the labels, question the ingredient list, and, for the most part, opt for the more expensive cheeses. Those are typically the real thing.

Komentar

Postingan populer dari blog ini

What is Pterygium and Pinguecula ?

[Extracted from the webpage of www.healthscout.com] A pterygium is a fleshy growth that invades the cornea (the clear front window of the eye). It is an abnormal process in which the conjunctiva (a membrane that covers the white of the eye) grows into the cornea. A pinguecula is a yellowish patch or bump on the white of the eye, most often on the side closest to the nose. It is not a tumor but an alteration of normal tissue resulting in a deposit of protein and fat. Unlike a pterygium, a pinguecula does not actually grow onto the cornea. A pinguecula may also be a response to chronic eye irritation or sunlight. Although pterygium and pinguecula sound like mysterious, arcane diseases, they are actually quite common, usually benign eye conditions. These lesions appear as a whitish-yellowish bump or fleshy "growth" on the exposed conjunctiva. If the bump appears only on the white part of the eye, it is called a pinguecula. If it appears to "grow" onto t...

What is warfarin ?

 Coumadin (01 Mg) [Extracted from the website of www.drugs.com] Warfarin is an anticoagulant (blood thinner). Warfarin reduces the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors. Warfarin is used to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots in veins and arteries. Warfarin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Warfarin Tablet (01 Mg) Important information about warfarin Warfarin can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use warfarin if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Never take a double dose of this medication or take it together with other products that contain warfarin or coumarin. You should not take warfarin if you have a bleeding or blood cell disorder, blood in your urine or stools, an infection of the lining of your heart, stomach bleeding, bleeding in the brain, recent or upcoming surgery, or if you need a spinal tap or spinal anesthesia (epidural). Warfarin may cau...

Walking Through The Fancy Animal Carnival In NYC

I went to visit my kids in NYC last week and on my walk from the train to their place I passed through the famous Garment District- It was raining, but I managed to get a few photos of some of the new sculptures in the " Fancy Animal Carnival " by Taiwanese artist Hung Yi. I don't usually share my outings, but with so many visiting NYC over the holidays, I thought these might be of interest. Garment District Free Art Show through April 2016 The Carnival , which starts around 41st street and ends on 37th street, features eleven large to life whimsical statues each symbolic of bringing luck!  The statues are extremely colorful and big!! It made more 40 minute walk to their place very enjoyable Bryant Park- over 100 fun holiday kiosks I loved this.. In addition, there were many little kiosk type shops that opened up just for the holidays in Bryant Park on West 40th between 5th and 6th Ave- It was so much fun going around the wintery type wonderland with all the little shops ...