#639
Hey folks, I recently saw a video clip by Revant Himantsingka, (He exposes many food myths/ scams) and my jaw just dropped. He picks up stuff like tomato ketchup—guess what? Hardly any tomato! Cashew biscuits? Less than .1% cashew! I mean, what are we even eating? It’s all a big marketing tamasha, and I’m done falling for it. That’s why I’ve started reading food product labels like a detective, and trust me, it’s a game-changer. You’ve got to be sharp and choose wisely, or you’re just swallowing myths wrapped in shiny packets. Oh, Yes My Son in law- Eshwar's quizzical looks at Shelf at San Francico shops aisle, made me ponder and course correct. Thanks Eshwar.
And it’s not just ketchup pulling this stunt. Take hazelnut peanut butter—sounds yummy, right? But check the label, and there’s no hazelnut, just some synthetic flavour pretending to be the real deal. Or cashew cookies—get this, a measly 0.4% cashew! We see “hazelnut” or “cashew” plastered on the pack, and our brains go, “Oh, fancy, must be good!” But it’s all a fraud—cheap fillers and artificial junk. How misleading is that? We fall for it every time, handing over our cash while they laugh all the way to the bank.
One thing that really gets me angry is added sugar in so-called “diabetic” products. Arre, it’s supposed to be 0 added sugar, right? But no, many brands sneak it in like we won’t notice. I’ve hunted down a few rare ones with zero sugar, but you’ve got to dig deep. And then there’s all these weird names on labels—stuff you’ve never heard of in your kitchen. If it’s not something familiar like haldi or jeera, it’s probably some filler or cheap substitute. My rule? Avoid it like the plague. Yes, good food comes at a price. (Whey Protien is Rs. 5000/ Kg, beyond reach for many- that is also the reality!).
The usual suspects—sugary drinks, biscuits, chips—are the easiest to ditch. People munch on these for timepass or hunger, but they’re just slow poison. Over time, this junk builds up visceral fat (that nasty belly fat you can’t see), messes with your metabolism, and leaves you feeling like a sluggish mess. I used to eat this stuff without thinking, but about two years back, I said, “Bas, enough!” Now, I’m super conscious, and I don’t even glance at these things in the store. Result? I feel energetic, no random hunger pangs, and honestly, I’m in a much better place. (Last 90 days no Sweets from shop, I took some made for mother's anniversary rituals- home made even that with a reluctance as a token gesture).
But it’s not just ketchup and biscuits you need to watch. Take packaged juices—those “100% fruit” ones. Check the label, and it’s mostly sugar syrup with a splash of fruit pulp. Breakfast cereals? They scream “whole grain” and “fibre,” but half the time, it’s sugar and refined flour with some artificial flavour thrown in. Even those “protein bars” or “energy bars” we grab for a quick bite—loaded with sweeteners, palm oil, and stuff like maltodextrin that does nothing for you. And don’t get me started on namkeen or ready-to-eat snacks—salt levels through the roof, plus preservatives you can’t even pronounce.
Then there’s bread—our daily roti substitute for some. Most store-bought ones have maida, sugar, and sometimes even sketchy emulsifiers to keep them soft. Look for “whole wheat” that’s actually 100% atta, not some mix. Yoghurt’s another trap—“probiotic” or “natural” sounds great, but flip the pack, and it’s got added sugar or artificial sweeteners like aspartame. If you’re picking pickles or sauces, watch for too much oil, salt, or random thickeners like modified starch—useless fillers that just sit in your body.
The trick is simple: if the ingredient list looks like a chemistry book, put it back. Stick to stuff you’d find in your mom’s kitchen—real food, not factory nonsense. I’ve been at this for two years now, and I can’t tell you how much better I feel. No more dragging myself through the day or craving junk every two hours. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being smart. So next time you’re at the store, don’t just toss things in your cart—read the label, think, and choose. Your body will thank you later!
What are your plans?
Karthik
20/3/25 930am.
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