Unjunk Your Junk Food {Book Review}

Recently, I was sent a copy of a new book titled, “Unjunk Your Junk Food.” Perfect timing, right?

The main goal of “Unjunk Your Junk Food” is to provide people with better options. Let’s face it, once in awhile, we are all going to indulge in a treat. With this book, you can choose from products that don’t contain chemical additives. You may have gotten in the routine of reading the nutritional label when you are deciding on which product to buy. However, “Unjunk Your Junk Food” takes it a step further. It teaches you to, first, look at the ingredient list then look at the nutritional label.

The most helpful thing that I took away from the book was the Worst Ingredients Chart. Each ingredient is classified into “The Scary Seven”:

HFCS {High-Fructose Corn Syrup}
Trans-fats
MSG {Monosodium glutamate}
Artificial Flavors
Artificial Colors
Artificial Sweetners
Preservatives

The authors of “Unjunk Your Junk Food” encourage you to take the Worst Ingredients Chart and go through your pantry. To say I was surprised by a lot on the list is an understatement. Who knew artificial butter flavor {classified as an ingredient to strictly avoid} is so bad for you? And, of course, I was saddened to see my beloved caffeine and coffee on the list {although I am not surprised}.

You don’t have to give up the foods you love, just give up the toxic ingredients. Take the junk out of your junk food. Here’s how:

The Edible (R)evolution is a 4 step process:

Step 1:     Take the ‘Worst Ingredients’ chart along with your shopping list on your next trip to the grocery store
Step 2:   Before you blindly toss a food product into your cart, read its entire list of ingredients (even before you read the nutrition panel)
Step 3:   Refer to the ‘Worst Ingredients’ chart as well as the glossary in Unjunk Your Junk Food to make sure you understand the meaning of EVERY single ingredient listed on the label
Step 4:   Decide whether or not the ingredients in the product you’re holding are what you want to purchase and put into your body. If not, use Unjunk Your Junk Food to help guide you to comparable products with cleaner ingredients

Another great feature of the book is the comparison of similar products. You are presented with a good choice and a bad choice. For example, you are craving Rolos. They have you covered!

As you can see above, Rolo’s are not a good choice. However, Newman’s Own Organics Milk Chocolate Caramel Cups are the way to go! Not only are the products compared in the book, you also are provided with an explanation as to why it’s a good or bad choice.

This has seriously changed the way I look at food packaging. Sure, grocery shopping might take a little longer, but “The Scary Seven” aren’t lurking in my pantry any more! Bonus: It’s small enough to fit in your purse so you can bring it with you to the store! This is perfect for me because, lately, I can’t remember a thing. You can also tear out the Worst Ingredients List and just bring that along as well.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book to use for this review. My opinions and thoughts are my own though