I know that whole wheat flour is much healthier over white flour. I also know that our bread just isn't the same without semolina flour, which is also used to make pasta.

Beyond that, am illiterate on this. I found this article really helpful ... besides, I think we need to have a bit of an engineer if you want to cook.

I've always been an avid buyer of Sunmaid California Seedless Raisins. It's quite versatile. Good as a quick snack. Put in your muffins. Add into some meat dishes (instant Moroccan flair). Overall, sweet and healthy, right?

I recently got a nice big pack of the same brand of raisins from an uncle in the US. Funny, it was the first time I scrutinized the labels. (Ok, you caught me, I've been buying the local stuff without checking the label, so sue me). My discovery:

The imported stuff's sole ingredient ... ta-dah .. California seedless raisins. Ok, no big deal.

The local counterpart ... "raisins" ... and ... "partially hydrogenated vegetable oil." If you have no idea why I am raising such a fuss, here's the lowdown:

"Consuming partially hydrogenated oils is like inhaling cigarette smoke. They will kill you -- slowly, over time, but as surely as you breathe. And in the meantime, they will make you fat!" (Eric Armstrong)

"... many European countries have either banned hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils altogether or have instituted future dates for elimination of their use in foods.

These government actions concerning the trans fatty acids (hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils) is directly related to studies that link trans fatty acid (hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oil) consumption from processed foods to the development of diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease.Hydrogenation of oils, with removal of essential fatty acids, is used in the food industry for the sole purpose of prolonging the shelf life of processed foods (to maximize profits)."

If that still doesn't bother you, read some more about this here.

I remember reading ages ago that if a stick of vegetable shortening were left out where flies, rats and whatever else could get at it ... they just wouldn't touch it. Smart guys, it's only humans who have the "sense" to cram it into their bodies.

There are so many other products that almost ALWAYS are made with partially hydrogenated oils:

Cake mixes, biscuit, pancake and cornbread mixes, frostings
Cakes, cookies, muffins, pies, donuts
Crackers
Peanut butter (except fresh-ground)
Frozen entrees and meals
Frozen bakery products, toaster pastries, waffles, pancakes
Most prepared frozen meats and fish (such as fish sticks)
French fries
Whipped toppings
Margarines, shortening
Instant mashed potatoes
Taco shells
Cocoa mix
Microwave popcorn

An upside for Filipino food (and Asian food in general), while we use fat, we dont use hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils. Coconut oil is good (please don't believe the smear campaigns against it ... and an entirely different blog entry).

I knew that all this label scrutiny was not in vain. Do yourself (and your health) a favor ... read the label, read up, and be a savvy consumer. Nothing to lose but clogged arteries, fat, and a predisposition to allergies!

Photos: Which is which? Read the label! :)
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Magnolia Full Cream Milk
Premium dairy
Naturally creamy
No artificial colors and flavors
No preservatives
Pasteurized to retain the natural creaminess and nutrition of milk
Excellent source of calcium

Recombined, pasteurized, homogenized milk

Ingredients: water, non-fat milk solids, milk fat, milk mineral concentrate, food stabilizers and emulsifiers, Vitamin A and Vitamin D3


VERSUS


Karlen’s Fresh Milk
Pure Cow’s Milk
Min. 3% fat
Pasteurized and homogenized


In a desire to stay as close as possible to natural foods, especially when it comes to Dui, we’ve scoured the shelves for our best options. With milk, we’re particularly picky. We’ve shifted several times among fresh milk brands but have happily settled with Karlen’s Fresh Milk. For 70 pesos a liter, it’s even cheaper than Magnolia’s premium fresh milk (about 75 pesos).

Compare the labels. My rule of thumb with foods is that the less stuff that’s listed, the better. And again, the first item listed is always the greatest in terms of volume (i.e., main ingredient). I mean, milk is milk … or is it really? (Each time I go through that label, I think again!)

You can find Magnolia in most supermarkets. We stumbled upon Karlen’s fresh milk in Santi’s Delicatessen (no, I am in no way affiliated with them, too bad). It’s delivered once a week from Laguna so you can be assured its fresh and locally produced too. With just a little extra effort, you'll be able to taste the difference and rest easy that its "real" milk.