NutellaAnd its ingredients

By: Marissa B

Description of Nutella

It is a chocolate, hazelnut spread that was first imported from Italy to the US.

Molly Raisch, from ABC News, states that nutella is as healthy as a milky way.

She states, “One woman was so appalled when she realized that two tablespoons of her go-to breakfast spread packed in 200 calories, 21 grams of sugar, and 11 grams of fat, that she took the company to court…and won. (In fact, if you bought a jar of Nutella between January 2008 and Feb 3, 2012, you're entitled to a refund.)”

Sugar Carbohydrate

Sugar is naturally found in most plants, but especially in sugarcane and sugar beets

Health Aspect: we need sugar to fuel our body’s but only to a certain extent. Sugar links to obesity, type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Use: to sweeten product, better taste

Alternative: Stevia- 300 times sweeter and no health concerns.

Palm Oil Edible vegetable oil that is derived from the

palm fruit and is grown on the African oil palm tree. This industry is linked to giant issues concerning deforestation, habitat degradation, climate change, animal cruelty, and land and forests must be cleared for the development of the palm oil plantations.

Health Aspect: 40-50% saturated fat. Gives higher risk of heart disease. (FDA)

Use: substitute for a trans-fat

Alternative: trans-fats

Hazel Nuts A nut of the hazel also known as a cobnut or

filbert nut

Health Aspect: notable for their high levels of monounsaturated fats. It can manage type 2 diabetes. Rich in the antioxidant vitamin E which may prevent cataracts and macular degeneration. It helps maintain healthy skin, and reduce risk of dementia.

Use: Hazelnut taste

Alternative: none

Cocoa Chocolate power made from roasted and

ground cacao seeds and it is a processed food component. It is treated with additives to become the commercial product, cocoa.

Health Aspect: less healthy than a whole natural food although flavonols found in cocoa can have heart related benefits. They also are helpful in protecting the blood vessel lining and prevent high blood pressure.

Use: chocolate taste

Alternative: none

Skim Milk Milk that contains less than .5% milk fat

Health Aspect: one cup of skim milk holds 90 calories and not filling your body with fat or cholesterol, but removing all the fat leaves a higher amount of carbohydrates and sodium.

Use: Dairy

Alternative: whole milk (higher in fat content)

Reduced Mineral Whey

Often used in infant formulas for a good source of protein.

Health Aspect: helps to improve digestive system. Those with lactose tolerance can substitute it for milk. Stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria useful for the intestinal tract.

Use: added to food products to minimize the acidic properties of that food.

Alternative: Whole Milk- higher fat intake

Lecithin group of yellow-brown fatty acids that can

be extracted from plants and animals

Health Aspect: rich in choline (the precursor of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine) which is involved in muscle control, brain memory and also liver health. But taking it in excess can increase cholesterol

Use: mainly a lipid compound. It is a food additive used for its emulsifying and stabilizing properties

Alternative: none

Vanillin A single chemical derived from vanilla

associated with the vanilla flavor and odor.

Health Aspect: safe for human consumption but studies have shown it can trigger headaches for those who are prone to migraines that are related to vanillin’s strong odor.

Use: flavor

Alternative: none

US Vs. Italy Article by Carrie Vasios

“The ingredients listed on the jars are practically identical: sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts, cocoa, skim milk, reduced minerals whey (milk), lecithin as emulsifier (soy), vanillin: an artificial flavor. The sole difference is that the Italian version lists two percentages: hazelnuts (13%) and milk (5%) while the American version keeps mum. The website for American Nutella says, "Each 13 oz. jar contains more than 50 hazelnuts." If I had to guess, I'd say Italian Nutella uses a few more nuts than that.”

Works Cited "Science of Candy: What Is Sugar? | Exploratorium." Exploratorium:

The Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/candy/sugar.html.

"Say No To Palm Oil." Say No To Palm Oil. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. http://www.saynotopalmoil.com/What_can_i_do.php.

“Why You Should Go Nuts for Nuts." EverydayHealth.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. http://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-and-nutrition/0406/why-you-should-go-nuts-for-nuts.aspx#/slide-9.

"Is Cocoa Healthy, and If It Is, Why Is It Not Included on the WHFoods List?" Is Cocoa Healthy, and If It Is, Why Is It Not Included on the WHFoods List? N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. <http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=dailytip&dbid=179>.

Patz, Aviva. "Is Sugar Really That Bad for You?" CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/30/health/sugar-bad/>

Works Cited "Skim Milk: Is It Healthy?" / Nutrition / Healthy Eating. N.p., n.d.

Web. 19 Mar. 2014. http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/skim-milk-is-it-healthy.html#b.

"Ingredient Information." In-R-Food. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. http://www.inrfood.com/ingredients/3948.

"Top 10...alternatives to Sugar." The Ecologist. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. http://www.theecologist.org/green_green_living/food_and_drink/1336766/top_10alternatives_to_sugar.html.

"Serious Eats - Seriouseats.com." Serious Eats. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. http://sweets.seriouseats.com/2012/03/international-face-off-nutella.html.

Raischprevention, Molly. "7 'Health' Foods That Aren't Healthy." ABC News. ABC News Network, n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. <http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/health-foods-healthy/story?id=16680025>.