Eating Between the Lines

At the topic night for my Mother's and More group in January a local author, Kimberly Lord Stewart came to speak about her book, "Eating Between the Lines." This book was written to be "The Supermarket Shopper's Guide to the Truth Behind Food Labels." The book discusses topics like the benefits of Organic foods and how to spend your money wisely on organics based on pesticide residue for fruits and veggies.

Fruit and Vegetable Pesticide Residues

Most Residues
Apples
Cherries
Grapes, imported
NEctarines
Pears
Peaches
Raspberries
Strawberries
Celery
Potatoes
Spinach
Bell Peppers
Lettuce (winter)

Least Residue
Kiwi
Mango
Bananas
Papaya
Pineapple
Asparagus
Avocado
Onions
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Peas (sweet)
Corn (sweet)

The book also focuses on teaching shoppers how to read labels and understanding what is simply "marketing" and what is actually important. For instance, did you know that if you purchase Chicken with special labeling stating that it is "Hormone Free" is simply a marketing scheme? "All hormones were banned in poultry operations in the late 1950s. No Added Hormones and No Added Steroids are simply reiterations of a policy that exists for all poultry producers - so don't pay more for hormone-free chicken. (p. 53)"

There are chapters on how to buy Beef, Chicken, Fish, Dairy, Grains, Oils, Baking Ingredients, Canned, Boxed, Bagged and Frozen Foods, Snacks etc. But overall the best part of this book is the cut out wallet sized reminders that you can keep in your purse (or wallet) while shopping or eating out for that matter! Now that proves it was a seasoned mom that wrote this book.