Understanding Food Labels: What You Need to Know
If you have ever found yourself standing in a grocery aisle puzzled over the meaning of food labels, you are not alone. Food packaging is like a puzzle, with information scattered here and there, making it hard to decipher what’s actually inside the package. Understanding food labels is important, though, because it is how you can make an informed decision about the foods you eat. Here’s what you need to know about understanding food labels.
Serving Size and Servings Per Container
The serving size is the amount of the food product considered as one serving, and servings per container inform you of how many servings are in one package. These labels help you to accurately track the amount of nutrients and calories you are consuming.
Calories and Calories From Fat
Calories measure the amount of energy a food has, and calories from fat indicate how many of those calories come from fat. Choosing food products lower in calories and fats may help support healthy weight management.
Nutrients
The nutrition label lists the amounts of different nutrients in the food per serving, including saturated fat, total fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, sugars, and protein. The daily value tells you the percentage of a particular nutrient that one serving provides. For most people, the daily goal for fat, carbohydrates, and protein is measured in grams, while the goal for fiber and minerals is measured in daily values.
Claims
Food manufacturers can use a variety of claims to market their products, and these claims can give you an idea of what to expect from the food. For example, “low fat” means a product has less than three grams of fat per serving, and “light” means a product has one-third fewer calories than a similar product.
Ingredient List
The ingredient list is arranged by the most to the least in the product and gives you a clear understanding of what is in it. Scan the list for sugar, salt, and fat, as manufacturers sometimes use alternative names to hide these ingredients.
Allergies
Look out for the warning labels if you have food allergies. It’s important to know which allergenic foods a product contains or may have come into contact with during the manufacturing process.
Conclusion
Food labels can be a useful tool to help you make informed decisions when grocery shopping. The information on food labels can help you choose healthier options and manage your diet. Reading food labels can be overwhelming at first, but with a bit of practice, you can become a pro in no time. Pay attention to subheadings, serving sizes, and daily values and ingredients to stay on track and make informed decisions about the foods you consume.
