You should always flip over a packaged food product and check out the ingredients and nutritional panel\u00a0on the back, because THAT’S where the information you need to\u00a0know\u00a0is located.\u00a0 Never, never, never, trust what you read in an ad, on a product website\u00a0or on the front of the box\/bottle\/package\/container.<\/p>\n
Here’s a case in point: Nestle’s Boost.\u00a0 It’s sold as a nutritional drink; and so it is… sorta.\u00a0If you go strictly by the sales spiel,\u00a0it would appear to\u00a0be a pretty good\u00a0option for a snack or even a quick, on-the-go\u00a0meal replacement:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
BOOST Drink – Extra Energy For Your Active Day<\/strong>
\n\u00a0
\nWhen you\u2019re on the go and need energy to help you get going, great-tasting BOOST nutritional drink may be just what you need. With its balance of vitamins and minerals, it provides the kind of nutrition needed to help you stay at your physical and mental best.<\/p>\nDrink Benefits
\n<\/strong>\u00a0
\nBOOST is a great-tasting nutritional supplement that you can enjoy with a meal and as a healthy between-meal snack. It also provides all the nutrients you need should you miss a meal. One serving of BOOST gives you:
\n26 vitamins and minerals, with carbohydrates and protein for energy, a healthier alternative than many caffeine beverages.
\n\u00a0
\nAntioxidants \u2013 Vitamins C, E and Selenium \u2013 to help fight free radicals and promote healthy cells and immune system
\n\u00a0
\nVitamin C to help support a healthy immune system
\nCalcium to help maintain strong, healthy bones and teeth
\n\u00a0
\nLow in saturated fat (just 4 grams total fat, 5 milligrams cholesterol per serving)<\/p>\nThese and many more nutritional benefits come in four delightful flavors:<\/p>\n
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- Vanilla\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Chocolate<\/li>\n
- Butter Pecan<\/li>\n
- Strawberry\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Great nutrition never tasted so good! And it\u2019s ready whenever, and wherever, you are. Just chill, open and serve.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Sounds great, eh?\u00a0But\u00a0there’s a “red flag” flying at the top… the word “energy.” This is typically “code” for one of two things: caffeine or sugar.\u00a0 Since Nestle claims there’s no caffeine, that leaves…<\/p>\n
Yup, you guessed it!<\/p>\n
Ingredients in BOOST Vanilla
\n<\/strong>\u00a0
\nWater, sugar, corn syrup solids, milk protein concentrate, vegetable oil, (canola, high oleic sunflower, corn oils) and less than 0.5% of soy lecithin, carrageenan, salt, natural and artificial flavor, vitamin A palmitate, beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, vitamin D3, vitamin E acetate, thiamine hydrochloride, riboflavin, niacinamide, vitamin B6 hydrochloride, folic acid, choline bitartrate, vitamin B12, biotin, calcium pantothenate, vitamin K1, calcium carbonate, ferrous sulfate, potassium iodide, magnesium phosphate, zinc sulfate, cupric sulfate, potassium citrate, potassium chloride, sodium selenite, chromic chloride, sodium molybdate, manganese sulfate. Contains milk protein and soy.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nSo sugar and corn syrup solids are two of the first three ingredients!\u00a0 How much sugar?\u00a0 The nutritional label indicates it’s 25g!\u00a0 That’s about 2 tablespoons of sugar.<\/p>\n
So\u00a0this “nutritional drink”\u00a0is basically protein-and-vitamin\/mineral fortified sugar water. For your money (and calories), you might as well toss down some low fat chocolate milk\u00a0and a Centrum.\u00a0 Needless to state, it’s just as “healthy” a snack as the junk Nestle is peddling.<\/p>\n