Nutrition Questions & Answers with Ingles Dietitian Leah McGrath, RD, LDN
Dear Leah,
What does it mean when people say that potatoes are a very starchy food? Are they good for you if you have diabetes? ~ Angie
Dear Angie,
Potatoes have a type of natural carbohydrate or starch. Your body utilizes starches or carbohydrates as a source of energy that fuels your muscles and brain. More than anything, whether they are “good” or “bad” depends on how you eat those potatoes. A simple baked potato, especially when you eat the peel (which has the fiber) is a good nutritional choice. When you coat the potato with cheese sauce or sour cream, or make it into french fries…. not so much!
Dear Leah,
Does Ingles Laura Lynn brand milk contain rBGH? ~ Derek
Dear Derek,
For the past two years MILKCO, the milk processing company owned by
Ingles that is located in West Asheville, has asked all the dairy
farmers who supply us with our raw (not yet processed) milk to sign
affadavits that they do NOT administer artificial growth hormones such
as rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone), and rBST (recombinant
bovine somatropin), to their dairy cows. For the past two years we have
indicated this on the labels of those products and advertised it in our
stores and on in-store radio. Ingles remains committed to providing
Laura Lynn milk to our customers that is from local dairy farms and from
cows that have not been administered artificial growth hormones.
Dear Leah,
I would love to support our school through the Box Tops Advantage
program, but the products offered are generally NOT healthy. Why not
encourage parents of school-age children to purchase healthy products? ~
Michelle
Dear Michelle,
The Box Top program is an incentive offered by a specific manufacturer
(General Mills) as a way of selling their products and also supporting
schools. In looking at the list of products that are part of the program
(www.boxtops4education.com/earn/clip/Brands.aspx?WT.ac=UHP_PartProducts_10012010)
I actually see many that I would consider good choices: Fiber One
products, Wheaties cereal, Green Giant Vegetables, Progresso Soups, and
Yoplait yogurt. Additionally, there are many paper products that are
part of the program.
I would think that most shoppers could find items that they currently
use or would use if they knew that purchasing them would help support
their local schools. I would certainly NOT encourage you to purchase
items that you do not like or do not consider healthy!
Dear Leah,
Can I get a list of the gluten free products you carry? After much
research I have found Ingles Market is the only one that carries a
larger selection, but I would rather not walk around the store for
hours. ~ Evelyn
Dear Evelyn,
I’m not sure which Ingles you shop but here are a few suggestions to make it easier for you.
1. Check our on-line list of gluten free items, www.ingles-markets.com/ask_leah
2. Look for the green and white gluten free tags in our stores, or if
the item is on sale or new it will say “gluten free” on the shelf tag.
3. Check the gluten free section on the baking aisle of larger stores.
4. Make sure you identify yourself to your store manager as a person who
shops for gluten free items. Our management staff can help you to find
products or assist you if there are products you would like us to order.
5. Feel free to call 1-800-334-4936 or e-mail me
([email protected]) if there is some product you would like us
to try and carry, or one you cannot find at your store.
I would also recommend that you join a local support group to get on
their mailing list as I often send them information about new products
and events for our gluten free customers.
Leah McGrath, RD, LDN
Corporate Dietitian – Ingles Supermarkets
Phone: 800-334-4936
e-mail:
[email protected]
Ingles: www.ingles-markets.com/ask_leah
Twitter: www.twitter.com/InglesDietitian
Facebook: www.facebook.com/inglesmarkets
