Ginger Snaps

Ginger is known to help an upset stomach, act as an anti-inflammatory, and may even help fight ovarian cancer. Sadly, there isn't much ginger in Kraft's Ginger Snaps. In fact, even though the package claims these cookies are "made with real ginger and molasses," there is more partially hydrogenated vegetable oil in Ginger Snaps than there is actual ginger. Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil is loaded with trans fat, meaning whatever health benefit you may gain from the ginger is more than overshadowed by the negative effects of trans fat.

As for the molasses, Ginger Snaps contain more refined sugar than molasses. Refined sugar, together with Ginger Snaps' main ingredient, refined white flour, have a high glycemic index. Foods with a high glycemic index are turned into simple sugars almost immediately after you eat them, creating a spike in blood sugar. Over time, habitual spikes in blood sugar can lead to insulin resistance and pre-diabetes.

False Packaging

Besides the claim about real ginger and molasses, Ginger Snaps packaging also features a small, green "Sensible Solution" banner, which says that Ginger Snaps are low in saturated fat and have "no cholesterol."

Both points sound good, but be wary. Trans fat is actually worse for the human body than saturated fat. Consumption of trans fat raises your LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels and lowers your HDL ("good") cholesterol levels, leaving you at an even greater risk of coronary heart disease.

The "no cholesterol" claim is especially misleading because it implies that Ginger Snaps are a healthy choice for people worried about their cholesterol. But in terms of your health, it does not matter much whether Ginger Snaps have "no cholesterol," because dietary cholesterol has little effect on your cholesterol levels. What matters is the harmful trans fat content. So Kraft's "no cholesterol" claim encourages people who are already worried about their cholesterol to buy a product that will raise their risk even further.

With their "Sensible Solution" banner, Kraft deliberately tricks the very people in the most danger into buying a dangerous food.

Other Product Details

Click on any of the Kraft products below for more details on their unhealthy ingredients and deceptive packaging claims.

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