Tasty Tuesdays - Nutrition Labels
Today we are talking about Nutrition Labels. The Nutrition Label is helpful in understanding what is in the food we are daily eating. However, it’s difficult to know what is important on the food label when you only have a quick glance in the aisle of a grocery store. This week, we are going to be talking through what is most important to know when you are looking at a food label.
Ingredient List. This is the most overlooked yet most informative component of the Nutrition Label. Here are some key things to look for:
Length. When looking at the ingredients list, the first thing it will tell you is how generally healthy it is by how long the list is. If it is a full paragraph, then it probably isn’t the best choice.
Simplicity. The ingredient list also tells you how healthy the product is by the names of the ingredients in the food. If there are complicated names in the ingredients, such as monosodium glutamate, sodium benzoate, or potassium sorbate, the product is most likely not filled with healthy ingredients.
Serving Size. The serving size is also very important in understanding the food label. The amount you eat or drink is often more than the serving size listed on the nutrition label. Keep this in mind when buying and consuming the product as it will significantly impact your health goals.
Key Nutrients. The key components you want to keep in your nutrition are always the best quality of the three main macronutrients: protein, carbohydrates, and fat. With this in mind, there are also labeled components listed that you want to keep at a minimum. On the Nutrition Label, these mainly look like: Saturated Fats, Trans Fats, Sodium, Added Sugars.
Daily Value %. This percentage is the specific portion of a food that contributes to the overall recommended quantity of a nutrient that needs to be consumed daily. If a food label reads a nutrient at over 20%, that product is generally considered to be rich in that specific nutrient. Nutrients on the Food Label you want to have high percentages: Dietary Fiber, Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, Potassium.
If there are any foods that you are unsure about or you are hoping to learn more about Nutrition Labels, schedule a one on one session with me: