Cheese Isn't Real Cheese?

That's right.  There's a cheese scandal.

Reader's Digest Magazine published a story about the 50 secrets food manufacturers don't tell you. Amongst those 50 gems was this:  "Many 'cheese products' aren't really cheese."

Oh, great.  The cheese I grew up eating wasn't real cheese.  Instead, it was replaced with a processed milk protein or whey protein.

Why?  This cheese issue is just irritating.  And it's been bothering me since I read about it.

Even worse are the details about extra-virgin olive oil, which I use every single day.

The article says that "70 percent of bottles pulled off supermarket shelves were either rancid or did not meet the criteria for the extra-virgin grade."

Good glory.  What is going on?  They suggest buying olive oil in dark glass or a tin container, which protects it from light.

There's more.

I'm never buying "frozen dairy dessert" or anything containing "whey protein" or "milk protein" again.

And no more baked chips.  Baked chips are not healthier than regular chips?

This article is fascinating.

We buy green labels because we think the product is healthier.

The first ingredient should be "whole grain" not "multi-grain."

We like louder crunches in our potato chips - that crunch sound sells over taste?

Cereal has a ton of sugar (no surprise, that's why I love it!).

I should be buying farmed salmon instead of wild salmon?  Really?  Sure about that?

There's a lot of brilliant advice here... that may change depending on the study that comes out tomorrow, next week or next year.

Proceed with caution in every food purchase... honestly, it can be an elaborate web of confusion.

Think fruit, vegetables, and protein... keep it simple.