I'm a self proclaimed pseudo health nut. Basically, I can spout off an array of things you should and shouldn't eat but because I dine out, a lot, I know I'm not following my own advice 3/4 of the time. I'm very well aware that my 'healthier for you" option of salad can still contain just as many calories and chemicals as any other dish on the menu but that doesn't keep me from passing on the things I know or consciously tapping into the endless database of knowledge in my brain when I actually buy groceries.
For example, I'm an avid label reader. If it's something I've never purchased before you'll see me immediately flip the package over to the ingredient list. Did you know that the higher the ingredient is on the list the more of that item there is in terms of weight in the whole package. Warning: Rabbit Trail ahead. I even read the labels on the food I buy for my animal. I try to steer clear of corn but if it's the first or second ingredient on the label I absolutely refuse to buy it. That means there is more corn filler in the food than anything else. Basically, it's nutritionally void for my cat and dog because they aren't designed to digest grain. They are carnivorousness. But I can't very well afford raw prime rib every night for my animals. However, if I always practiced what I preach I probably would. Ok, back on track. Many sodas list High Fructose Corn Syrup as the second ingredient. HFCS as the second ingredient? So I'm mainly drinking highly processes corn when I drink a mainstream soda? Just another reason I only occasionally drink one. You've already read about my disdain for HFCS so I won't recap it here. If you haven't, you'll probably find a tidbit of my feelings about this product in any post about food. Which there are a lot of. Because I love food. *nonchalant shrug*
Because I'm a label reader I've been researching whey protein for post workout shakes. A lot of weight lifters swear buy it. Hell, even Dr. Mercola swears buy it. (He's my first source of health nut news but I'm leery about his products. I'm not convinced they aren't there just to make him money.) I've always questioned how good whey protein is for you. It just seemed like a bunch of chemicals in powder form sold in a giant tub for a lot of money. Again, Dr. Mercola uses it for post workout recovery so it must be ok. Hopefully.My problem lies with the added ingredients besides the whey. Many contain soy lethicin, maltodextrin and even artificial sweeteners. I won't go into why I am against these ingredients. I urge you to research them on your own. I trudged out into the internet world looking for organic whey protein and learned I have very few sources to purchase from. And even those are questionable. Including Dr. Mercola's product. I've learned I need to find whey protein concentrate rather than isolate and that the whey should be cold processed instead of heat processed. The milk should be from grass fed, pastured cows and should be raw. Basically, I'm not going to find these requirements in any whey protein sold in a store. I've scoured my health food stores and they all contain isolate as the first or second ingredient. When I read that I don't even read further down the list.
So, when should a pseudo health nut give in and resign to the fact that she has only one source she can purchase from but that other sources say that product contains a small amount of pasteurized milk in it and none of the ingredients are certified organic by the USDA. (That organization is questionable to be too. Just like the FDA.) Or should I just not invest in the first place? Or am I crazy for worrying about it so much because I obviously don't care what goes into my body more than half the time anyway? I've driven myself crazy so now I'm asking what's your opinion on the subject?
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