I was struck by how many different brands some people use/know in making their food selections. I noticed the TE topic thread on best/worst gluten-free foods. http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=39312
Maybe that's because of the gluten-free diet requirements-- knowledge of so many food labels.
I must admit though I read food labels, our overall grocery /produce buying selection is very limited on label ranges. I have to think about:
noodles- fresh Chinese fine steamed noodles. Yes, there is a specific brand which I've forgotten temporarily but I can remember the packaging.
dried fine noodles...I dunno. I just look below on the Chinese and Japanese supermarkets that I go occasionally. I can't remember which brands I buy since I can't claim to remember transliterated Chinese/Japanese names in English. And just forget about reading the non-English language scripts. I just look at where it's manufactured and ingredients. I no longer buy Italian-dry noodles. My body doesn't respond the best.
tofu- yea, I guess there's 3 different brands I choose. Whichever is on sale. I look for its freshness and pricing, core criteria.
canned tuna, salmon- yea, I guess maybe there's a few brands I gravitate. I can't remember their names. Just remember vaguely label designs.
Soy sauce- low sodium Kikkomann. I've given up on trusting alot of other brands. Light soy sauce doesn't mean it's less salty.
oils- certain brands for sunflower. Olive oil..whatever looks ok. Pretty uneducated.
cheese- well yea, certain local brands are great. (there are 3 different ones) But some others, especially from France or Quebec are great.
Occasionally, meaning 1-2 times annually, we'll buy sauerkraut, dill pickles, garlic-soy sauce, hoisin sauce, chili sauce. Regular size bottles. Not bulk.
Bread- yes, certain artisan bakeries we prefer.
But beyond that, really our pantry doesn't have much processed foods. In fact, I seem to buy the lion's share of "processed" foods that i listed above whereas he's getting flour, sauerkraut, bread, olive oil.. Neither he or I eat granola/energy bars often. So we don't buy the stuff.
Maybe the most expensive processed food we have in our pantry....is wine that we've acquired from bike trips in past few months. :o
Over the years in visiting other people, I'm just stunned by the sheer variety of processed, food labelled products some people stuff their cupboards and fridge.
