How Do You Define Healthy?

I ask because, I am realizing "healthy" means different things to different people. Now I know I need to read the labels more closely.  Actually I have tried on this particular product and couldn't find the labels and thought maybe it was one of those hidden ones where you have to peel something back to read the whole thing?  And it was  in a 4-Pack for .89 so I thought what the heck I will try it.

What is it?  Actvia Yogurt.  I know I posted early in all this about a label I found for my favorite yogurt (I am not a huge yogurt fan but do like them occasionally).  In taking off the top lid/label part of the yogurt, I just ripped it off and put it aside.  After two or three bites, I took off my glasses to read the label a bit clearer.  This is what it said:

Nonfat yogurt with Fructose, Aspartame, Acesfulame Potassium, and Sucraclose.  Now  I am no expert on ingredients, but I do know anything that ends with -ose is a form of sugar.  Asparteme is an artificial sweetener as well as the Acesfulame Potassium. This label also states less than 1/3 fewer calories than regular yogurt.  So I was confused.  If this was "healthy" for you what was their angle of "healthy".

STORY TIME

When I was 15 (man was than an interesting year in my life!) my brother and I got into a typical fight.  Only instead of beating me he threw a knife at me.  I put up my hand and the knife sliced through my right thumb.  My mom had told us we were never to call her at work, so when she got home and saw the blood (she was not too happy) and I had to go to the hospital for stitches.  This probably had happened about 10 or 11 in the morning and it was about 6 or so when she got home.  So I had lost alot of blood.  I got stitched up.  I believe I had about 20 some stitches in my thumb.  They had to sew the inside and the outside. The doctor prescribed among other things, YOGURT!  I had never had yogurt before, none of us had.  We went to the store and picked out some yogurt.  I think I had to eat one a day or so for a week.  I picked up some vanilla, and some kind of berry one.  I took one bite of it and thought this stuff is awful!!  I could not understand why people would want to BUY YOGURT!!  My mom made me eat it anyway and we finally realized after a few that not all tasted that bad.  The first couple I had that were nasty were spoiled.  Needless to say, it took me a long time to try yogurt again!  My point is, the yogurt was supposed to help me build up my immune system that was on a fast nose dive downwards.

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So with what I saw on the label this week and what I remember from my teenage years, I decided to find out what yogurt was really for.  According to WebMD Healthy Eating and Diet there are good things about Yogurt.  According to  Elaine Magee, MPH, RD our bodies need a certain amount of "good bacteria" in our digestive tracts.  This article also goes on to state that yogurt may help prevent Osteoporosis, reduce the risk of high blood pressure, active cultures to help the gut (I think this is where they are politely telling us it helps us go potty better or more?), discourage vaginal infections (I am just saying what they are saying) and may help you feel fuller. Here is the link to the entire article if you need a good read.  Benefits of Yogurt.

Okay with all that said, I am having a hard time being convinced that this stuff with all the forms of sugar in it, is really that healthy and good for you? What do you all think?  I would love some feedback on this.

I thought it was interesting the other day, after Institute class at our church people come into the Family History Center to work on Genealogy.  Lately the teacher has been bringing the best tangelos.  I think they are called?  The small oranges.  They peel beautifully!!  I hate peeling oranges!!!  Anyway one of the girls will usually bring me one knowing I do not eat sugar.  Let me just add there is a bowl of candy that sits at our sign in table.  Another friend popped in and picked up a piece of chocolate and I said to him (teasingly) "Where is your orange?"  He knows I am off the sugar.  He said, "I don't eat oranges because of all the acid in them." I said, "And sugar is okay?"  He laughed and said, "Yes".  Now I know that bodies that become too acidic can have problems as well.  So where do we draw the line?

For me I truly believe if I can get rid of the junk I have put inside me for years, I can begin to get on a path to better health.  I know I need to eat the stuff on the perimeter of the store and not down the aisles.  LOL  But sometimes I just can't help myself.  So I guess in the mean time, I just try to get better and educate myself more than before. 

The yogurt thing really flipped me out.  I did notice though that eating it did....how do I say this lady likesh?  Make my trips to the bathroom more productive?  <g>  I would love your thoughts!!!