Myth = ‘Enriched’ means the food has extra Nutrients added to it which makes it more nutritious.
It is a common practice that you buy product seeing
attractive claims on it. You see ‘enriched pasta’ or ‘enriched bread’
and you buy thinking that it gives you
more nutrient. Let us see the reality:
- All these foods having the ‘Enriched’ label are actually
processed foods.
- During their manufacturing process, these foods lose
many of the important nutrients which were originally present
in the raw products.
- For example, while refining wheat to make white flour,
both bran & germ are removed from the grain kernel. The germ
contains the B-vitamins, essential fats &
the antioxidants. Protein & fibre are found in the bran, which
is the outer layer of the kernel. Once these micronutrients
are removed, a fluffy white inner core is left, it is with
this core that processed white flour is made.
- Out of these many vitamins which are lost, even if just one vitamin is
artificially added back to its original level in the
natural raw food, the manufacturer can label it as “Enriched”!
so, the truth is, that:
“Enriched” means one or more of the nutrients originally
present before processing is added back. It does not
have more nutrients.
Be smart. Don’t get trapped in the marketing
gimmick. Home made food is more nutritious
than processed foods.
Always remember they are just “ENERGY DENSE, NUTRIENTS POOR FOOD”.
That’s all for today,
See your next Tuesday,
With another Tuesday tip,
Till then take care.
Providing simple solutions for the complexities of life:
Dr Bhumita Makwana
Your dietitian & homoeopathic physician.
