QUESTION: Are chickens given steroids? 

ANSWER:  NO!

Despite what you may have heard from that TV celebrity doctor, the fearmongering food blogger, or even a well-intentioned neighbor; chickens in the United States are not given hormones (steroids) to promote their growth, and in fact it’s illegal.

QUESTION: What should I be looking at when I buy cereal? Fiber? Calories? Fat? Sugar....I'm so confused!

ANSWER:  Eating cereal is a good way to get fiber in your breakfast meal.  You can also have cereal as a snack with milk or use it to top plain Greek yogurt.  Since the main goal of cereal is the fiber , that should definitely be something you look for.

QUESTION: Why aren’t all of your gluten free items on one aisle at my Ingles store?

ANSWER: There are several reasons for this:

Ingles founder, Robert Ingle, always had the goal of buying as much as possible from local farmers and vendors/suppliers. That motto has continued over the past 50 years.  Many of our customers don’t realize that the majority of Laura Lynn products come from companies based in states within about 250 miles of our Corporate offices and Distribution Center in Black Mountain NC.

QUESTION: Could I be sensitive to wheat because it has been genetically modified?

ANSWER:  NO! 

QUESTION: Should I be worried about arsenic in my food?  

ANSWER: There are two different types of arsenic, organic and inorganic. Inorganic arsenic is found naturally in rocks, especially in areas where there is or has been volcanic activity.

QUESTION: What kinds of things do you do as the dietitian for Ingles? 

ANSWER: My job is primarily to inform consumers and our Ingles Markets associates about nutrition and food-related issues. I have been the Corporate Dietitian for Ingles Markets for almost 15 years!

QUESTION: What is the difference between field corn and sweet corn?

ANSWER: First, let’s start with the fact that there are 6 different types of corn and they fall into two categories – SOFT or HARD corns based on the amount of hard or soft starch in the kernel.

QUESTION: I noticed that CELLULOSE is listed as an ingredient in my shredded cheese. What is that? 

ANSWER: Cellulose is part of the cell wall of all plants and is classified as a carbohydrate. Humans cannot digest cellulose so it’s is known as an indigestible or insoluble fiber. If you’ve ever taken a fiber supplement you might have seen cellulose listed as an ingredient.

QUESTION: I heard there’s a Taste of Local next week at one of your stores. Is it free? Who will be there?

ANSWER: Our next Taste of Local event is at the Ingles in Waynesville on Barber Blvd., Thursday, May 21st 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Expect to see about 17 or more local farmers and vendors there! At this FREE event you’ll be able to meet the farmers and vendors and sample their products.