Mobile Technology and the Future American Diet

Posted on January 26, 2012 by

Last week, GoodGuide founder Dara O’Rourke delivered a keynote speech at the Sustainable Foods Summit that focused on how mobile technology will transform the food system. Whether it’s bringing transparency to the marketplace (like our app) or improving food safety, there is no doubt that this technology can and will make a difference in how our food system operates. However, despite the various tech-based solutions presented to consumers, retailers, distributors, and farmers, there still remains the question of who is will capitalize most from this new trend.

During his talk, Dara pointed out the growing number of consumer-facing apps that help individuals connect directly with producers. Some allow you to map local farmers markets or identify retailers that only sell locally-produced goods. Others allow you to scan QR codes to literally find out what farm your meat came from. Presently, these apps serve as excellent marketing tools for regional food systems, in that they end up curating a database of products and services with fully definable supply chains.

Another subset of programs, catering more towards solving issues pertinent to managing supply chains, are also changing the way food is produced and distributed. Larger companies are using mobile technology to track product shipments (making sure that perishable items arrive before falling into the temperature danger zone), or to track crop prices. Farmers are using mobile to plan around bad weather patterns, adjust center pivot sprinkler systems for more efficient irrigation, and even monitor aphid threats to a soybean crop. While we as consumers may not notice the impact of these mobile technology applications at the grocery store, they are becoming instrumental in differentiating forward-thinking food companies from the rest of the pack.

How else will companies in the food space use mobile technology? And which companies will use this technology? Only time will tell. Perhaps more important for us to consider as eaters though is how this technology will alter the cornucopia of food items currently available to us. Just how much will mobile technology promote the growth of smaller, local food producers? On the other end of the spectrum, in what ways will adoption of mobile technology streamline the practices of large agribusiness? One possibility is that mobile tech bridges the gap between large agribusiness and smaller, local food producers by inadvertently highlighting the benefits of regionally-based foodsheds. Now something like that would have a major impact on dinner tables across America.

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A Nod to Popcorn

Posted on January 19, 2012 by

Corn Kernels

Popcorn isn’t just meant for the movies anymore. A stop in the chips aisle at the grocery store reveals a plethora of options for at-home popcorn enjoyment that fall into three main categories: bagged popcorn that’s ready to eat, microwave popcorn, and corn kernels.

Corn kernels score noticeably higher on GoodGuide, because they have yet to be popped (in oil) or flavored with salt or butter. Turning corn kernels into popcorn is a form of processing, but one that is necessary as our bodies are unable to efficiently digest raw corn kernels. We have the choice of outsourcing this processing step to a factory or keeping it within our own kitchens. In the case of popcorn, there are a whole host of reasons to pop your own. Here are a few:

1. You know what goes in. When making popcorn from scratch, you dictate what goes in the pot. Everything from the type of oil to how much salt to add is up to you. Don’t fret over all this culinary freedom though – it’s pretty difficult to put in as much salt, butter or oil as mass producers do. Even though popcorn is touted as one of the healthier choices in the salty snack category, it’s definitely possible to make some unwise choices among these products. Plus, if your intention is to avoid unnecessary food additives, microwave popcorn bags aren’t a good choice.

2. You create your own flavors. We’ve all received the holiday sampler tins with cheddar cheese and caramel covered popcorn. By making your own, you can experiment with any spice combinations you want. (Two of my favorites are cinnamon-sugar popcorn and cumin-chili powder popcorn).

3. You impress your kids – and teach them something. Kids get a kick out of watching a small kernel transform into a fluffy, white pillow of tastiness. Plus, it’s easy to get them involved with either the actual popping (really young kids should be careful around the hot oil) or shaking up some spiced popcorn.

Today, in honor of National Popcorn Day, we encourage you to spend a little time (less than ten minutes), popping your own popcorn. If you have any spice combination ideas, share them for inspiration in the comments section!

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Going Unprocessed

Posted on January 17, 2012 by

It’s January, so most of us are still talking about (and hopefully sticking to) our new year’s resolutions. While we have some ideas about what you should strive for this year, we know that many people are hoping to eat healthier over the course of 2012.

Eating healthier is a worthwhile resolution, but it’s essential to drill this general resolution down into a manageable, actionable goal. We’re much more likely to keep a resolution if we have clear benchmarks or defined actions in place. Some examples of “eating healthier” include eating more whole grains, eating a vegetable at every meal, kicking the soda habit, and avoiding fast food. My favorite, though, is cutting back on processed foods. Making a conscious effort to rid your diet of processed foods will lower your sodium intake, reduce the number of food additives you ingest, and improve your cooking skills.

Unfortunately, eschewing all processed foods is actually a major challenge for most of us, as we’ve come to rely on lots of supermarket products that make life more convenient. However, I’ve noticed that convenience is in the eye of the beholder – and that once you have a little culinary know-how, you’d be amazed at what is convenient. Obviously going from a diet of frozen dinners to making your own roast chicken in February is an unlikely scenario. But, by practicing recipes for homemade versions of at least the most highly processed foods, you can easily make some headway with this resolution. Plus, there’s always more to do – even if you’re pretty handy in the kitchen, you can use this next year to remove one more food from your grocery cart.

To help guide you through this resolution, I created this list of five foods (plus resources) that I learned how to make as I “de-processed” my grocery cart. Start with soup, and see how far you can get!

5. Soup. These recipes and strategies for making soup, courtesy of Mark Bittman, will make you say goodbye to canned soup forever. Too difficult? Consider recommendations from GoodGuide.

4. Pasta Sauce. The jarred versions may seem really convenient, but there’s just something about the smell of bubbling tomato sauce that can’t be beat. Here are recipes for a Five-Minute Sauce and Tomato Vodka Sauce. Too difficult? Consider recommendations from GoodGuide.

3. Granola. The options are endless when it comes to making your own granola. Hate raisins? Don’t put them in. Love sunflower seeds? Throw in an extra handful. Get some ideas from this AllRecipes list. Too difficult? Consider recommendations from GoodGuide.

2. Yogurt. You’d be amazed at how simple it is to make your own yogurt. The best part? Making your own cheese is only one more step. Too difficult? Consider recommendations from GoodGuide.

1. Pasta. It might sound labor-intensive, but there’s no comparison between fresh, homemade pasta and the boxed stuff. Learn how to roll your own with this video from our friends at CHOW. Too difficult? Consider recommendations from GoodGuide.

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The Smarter Barcode

Posted on January 11, 2012 by

The simple arrangement of black and white lines that revolutionized shopping decades ago has done it again. To celebrate the barcode’s 60th birthday, The NY Times wrote an article examining its history and exploring new innovations from advancements utilizing mobile technology to the introduction of its rival, QR codes. So what does all this mean for consumers? Today, it’s not just the cashier at the grocery store who has the ability to scan and receive information from a barcode. Anyone with a smart phone can scan QR codes to gain product information, enter contests and even instantly purchase an item from a magazine. They can also use apps such as GoodGuide to scan the barcode on any product and quickly learn about its ethical, health and environmental attributes.

The recently acquired function of the barcode being a mobile source of information empowers the shopper to make better, more informed decisions. It allows them to cut through false marketing claims and instantly get to the bottom line. So now what happens to brands relying on greenwashing techniques to boost sales? Is there any purpose of using carefully crafted language, listing certifications, or sticking trees on the packaging if consumers can find out the true characteristics by simply pressing a button?

For one thing, this could lead to the practice of plastering eco-labels on packaging to become obsolete, and for only certifications with meaningful standards to remain.  Consumers are so inundated with eco-labels these days that they begin to ignore them entirely. The average shopper probably won’t know the difference between the Forest Stewardship Council versus the Sustainable Forest Initiative when purchasing paper at the office store. It’s not that they don’t care about whether the certification actually holds proper standards, but it takes too much time and energy to understand what really matters.

With apps like GoodGuide the most relevant information (including certifications) is collected about each product, so all the labels and marketing claims on packaging become meaningless. Companies will be forced to be more transparent as consumers can instantly discover if the product is actually “healthy” or if a company really does care about treating its workers fairly. There’s only so much that can fit on a label, but with these new technologies consumers can find nearly anything they want.

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12 Tips For A Healthy 2012

Posted on January 5, 2012 by

Do you pause when people ask what your New Year’s Resolutions are? Feel guilty when you see all your co-workers trekking to the gym, but not guilty enough to actually go? Whether you are a health nut with a green thumb or still trying to kick your potato chip habit (obsession), try these simple resolutions to kick 2012 off to a healthy start:

1) Live in a toxic-free home. Who wants to come home to a formaldehyde-laden house? Unfortunately, toxins are so widespread these days that they are found everywhere from our cleaning products to personal care products. Use this checklist from Trash Cancer to make simple changes for a healthier home.

2) Snack healthier. Whether that means packing better snacks on-the-go, cutting back on your sugar intake or eliminating the “fourth meal” entirely, choose something that suits your lifestyle and stick with it.

3) Understand the WHOLE label. It’s easy to tell if a product has enough fat to ruin your diet, but do you know how to decipher the long list of seemingly-foreign ingredients? From frozen food to baby shampoo, understand what’s really in the products you are purchasing.

4) Overpower greenwashing. Triple Pundit calls 2012 the year of the “Smart Consumer” and we agree. Be aware of greenwashing and misleading eco-labels. Use the Transparency Toolbar to screen ads on sites like Google and Facebook to cut through marketing terms.

5) Know where your products come from. We all know how much a clothing purchase will affect our wallets, but what about the hidden price tag? This video from Greenovate explains where the clothing you purchase really comes from. For bonus resolution points, shop at local farmer’s markets and learn how to cook sustainable meals. Continue reading →

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December Good News Roundup

Posted on January 3, 2012 by

Here at GoodGuide we ended the year with lots of good news and exciting new endeavors. Check out some of the December highlights below. Let’s all strive for a happy and healthy 2012!

Huffington Post: “Take Toxic Chemicals Off Your List” GoodGuide is mentioned as handy app to use while shopping for baby products on-the-go.

Blast Magazine: “Safe And Green-Friendly Hair Care” Exposing the prevalence of toxins in many common hair products, the article suggests using GoodGuide to find the safest, healthiest products.

Forbes: “Google Gives A Boost To Non-Profit Samasource” Announcing Google’s important donation to Samasource,  a company that connects technology companies and people in the developing world looking for work, the article notes GoodGuide’s work with Samasource to aid in researching ingredients in products.

Huffington Post: “Sustainable Courses For A Healthy Holiday Meal” Lifestyle expert Pooja Mottl gives easy recipes for delicious, sustainable meals, and recommends using GoodGuide at the grocery store to ensure the ingredients are healthy.

Yahoo! Canada “Find The Best Announces Partnership With GoodGuide” A number of prominent websites shared the news about Find The Best’s new platform built for GoodGuide, which allows users to easily compare brands and companies based on filters important to them.

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The Hidden Price Tag On Clothes

Posted on December 28, 2011 by

We all know how to find the price tag that shows us how big a dent in our wallets a new shirt will make. But what isn’t as clear is the underlying costs of every outfit’s life cycle. Greenovate, a China-based company that strives to integrate sustainable concepts into traditional businesses and the community, created  an impactful video about the secret lives of the clothes we wear. If you are aware of the lives our clothes led before they reach store level, and what you can do about this process, we are one step closer to a more sustainable and healthier future. Services like GoodGuide make it even easier to do so this!

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Compare Favorite Brands With New Tool

Posted on December 22, 2011 by

You may know how your favorite companies score on GoodGuide, but do you know how they compare to each other based on factors such as their environmental impacts and treatment of workers? Now, with technology from data-driven comparison site FindTheBest, you will have the ability to do just that.

With the new Company Comparison and Brand Comparison tools, users can find and compare companies and brands based on name, product categories, overall scientific rating, environment rating, society rating and more. This makes it easy to quickly discover how favorite brands match up against each other, and how they stand on issues that personally matter to you. This allows for an entirely new experience on GoodGuide, with a whole new level of interaction and discovery.

FindTheBest shares similar goals to GoodGuide and aims to provide total transparency for all consumers. Meaningful partnerships such as this will put additional pressure on brands to disclose all information and will quickly the transformation the marketplace. With this and other essential tools such as GoodGuide’s Transparency Toolbar and Purchase Analyzer, it is continually faster and easier for consumers to make purchasing desicions that are aligned with their values.

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A Good Guide To Holiday Shopping

Posted on December 19, 2011 by

If you are still scrambling to find last minute gifts, it’s pretty safe to say that electronics will be one of the main items on your list.  But did you know that by gifting someone a fancy new flat screen TV, you could also be giving them years of high energy bills and contributing to environmental destruction? Here are some tips on finding the safest, greenest products:

  • Computers: Buy laptops. Desktops use more energy and raw materials than laptops, making them less attractive not only from an aesthetic, but also an environmental standpoint.
  • Televisions:  LED TVs are your best choice. Plasma TVs used to be less efficient than LCDs, but they have caught up in terms of energy usage. The main goal here is to buy a TV that meets your needs (i.e. not a 60 inch monstrosity for your tiny 10×10 living room) that is ENERGY STAR rated.
  • Cell Phones:  Does your phone’s charger suck up energy when it’s not being used? Many manufactures will not disclose charger standby energy usage. Additionally, there have been quite a few scandals within the supply chain at popular companies like Apple, so do your research before purchasing.
  • Re-gifting an unused electronic product from last year is a great way to stay eco-friendly. Just make sure it hasn’t been recalled by using the handy Items I Own tool from We Make It Safer. Enter some information, such as the brand, on electronics you own and the system will check for the last 10 years of recalls. Once you’re sure the gift is safe, go ahead and pass it on.

Check out this video from GoodGuide founder Dara O’Rourke for additional tips:

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Do You Know Where to Find Sugar?

Posted on December 15, 2011 by

 

 

 

 

There’s been a lot of press recently about how sugary our breakfast cereals really are. Breakfast cereals are one aisle in the supermarket, and so we were prompted to dive into the GoodGuide database to see what we could learn about other commonly consumed foods. The pie charts above, a peek into what we found, are divided by the proportion of products in our database that fall below GoodGuide’s sugar threshold (green) vs. the proportion of products exceeding the threshold (red). These charts highlight that there are good and bad choices (specifically when it comes to sugar) within individual food categories. Also, you can infer that if you’re shopping in a supermarket, it’s much easier to find a healthy cereal than a healthy yogurt.

We took a look at pie charts for all of the major food categories and drew some conclusions that will be useful as you go about your grocery shopping.

1) It’s not just breakfast cereals that have us fooled. While broad product categories (or put another way, types of food) may technically be good dietary choices, the actual items in the supermarket that fall under this category aren’t necessarily that great for us. Take yogurt for example, a dairy product that is quite good for you in plain form. Based on statistics from our food database, nearly 80% of commercially available yogurt products have high amounts of sugar (over 15g/serving). The lesson? Don’t let generalizations guide the way you shop for food, check labels, or simply use GoodGuide to separate the wheat from the chaff.

2) Commercially available toaster pastries, muffins, and cereal bars are rarely good choices for breakfast. The majority of them that are available in stores have considerably more sugar than you’d expect. If you like these items, try to make them at home so that you have more control over the ingredients that go into them. Or, check our ratings to find out which products aren’t trying to sneak in as a healthy start to your day.

3) Those soy yogurts? Tons of sugar. Those opting to avoid dairy for health reasons may inadvertently overdoing it on sugar. Keep in mind that sweeteners are often added to make up for lost flavor in soy-based dairy alternatives – and this shouldn’t be one of those situations where a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.

4) The charts confirm some basics. Bagels, a traditionally savory item, haven’t been candified, and there are plenty of them to select from if you want to control your sugar intake (carbohydrate intake is another story). Hard candy, on the other hand, is a guaranteed way to get your sugar fix. One surprise: Not all cookies are loaded with sugar.

Are there other categories that you think have a reputation for being healthy in theory, but not in execution? Why do you think some product categories are filled with such sweet choices, when they really don’t need to be from a culinary standpoint? Share your thoughts in the comments. To see ratings for products in the categories below, click on each pie chart.

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