Question: What is acetic acid and is it bad for me?

Answer: Acetic acid…. sounds like one of those scary chemical ingredients that fearmongers warn you to avoid. If you were to inhale acetic acid it could cause your eyes to become irritated, you’d feel a burning sensation in your nose, you might feel congestion and a sore throat.

I really don’t get hungry between meals… do I really need to snack?

Answer: There is no rule that says you need to snack. 

Experience a “TASTE of LOCAL” at Ingles Markets in Asheville — 1865 Hendersonville Road. Thursday, August 13th  3:30 - 6:00

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!