How often do you pick up items at the grocery and scan the labels? Do you understand them? Ever wonder if they are really accurate? Many consumers probably glance at them, but based on the current obesity rate today it seems as if people should pay more attention.
Selling food is a big business. Through clever marketing campaigns and tricky labeling, many companies are able to influence your feelings and buying decisions. However, food makers are required to follow guidelines set forth by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Such guidelines include listing health claims and noting the % of daily values per serving.
Health claims link a food or one of its components to a specific disease or health related condition. Classic examples include whole grain cereals advertising that they may lower cholesterol (General Mills) and more recently yogurt products (Yoplait) proclaiming that (3) servings of yogurt a day will help you burn more fat. Fortunately, these claims must be based on solid research. Moreover, only approved health claims may appear on foods that meet the set requirements.
What about daily values? Typically, the label reveals the % of daily value for total fat, saturated fat, total carbohydrates, dietary fiber and protein, which is based on consuming 2,000 calories per day. The daily value does make it easy to compare similar foods because the serving size is usually the same. The tricky part lies in discovering two critical pieces of information. First, the amount of calories required per day varies from person to person based on age and activity level. Second, it is necessary to determine if your serving size is smaller or larger than the serving size listed on the food label. Based on this information, consumers can begin to piece their own nutritional puzzle together.
However, be cautious as you can still be fooled by labels. For example, have you ever purchased fat free cooking spray? Many people assume it is fat free. The reality is that the serving size is so small (1/3 second spray or .25 grams) that it is virtually impossible to spray enough to coat a pan without exceeding the serving size by at least threefold. Another red flag may be the fact that there are 557 servings in one 6 ounce can. Suddenly, in a larger serving size, it is no longer fat free. Wow! Is that legal? Yes, simply because in the serving size listed the fat value is negligible. Ironically, the fat free product managed to add fat to your meal.
The bottom line is this: people should eat a balanced diet based on their activity level, age and caloric needs. Understanding all of this information simply serves as a roadmap to directing consumers to make more informed and healthier food choices.
References
Understanding Food Labels
American Dietetic Association
Brian Schiff, PT, CSCS, is a respected author, physical therapist and fitness expert. You can sign-up for his free online newsletter @ http://www.thefitnessedge.cc.
Copyright ? 2005 Brian Schiff
Chicago limo Skokie ..Several years ago, Marilyn M. couldn't even spell fibromyalgia.Now she... Read More
I know you've heard this many times - "Drink more... Read More
Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry capsules are a nutritious, all-natural alternative... Read More
Do you know anyone who can't consume milk or milk-based... Read More
Unfortunately, the words "diet" and "cheating" go hand in hand.... Read More
Nutrition usually only comes up when people are finally deciding... Read More
Are you worried yet about your health? Are you anxious... Read More
As any student of chemistry will assure you, acids and... Read More
LIFESTYLE WELLNESS = An Adventure of Health + Vitality!Not a... Read More
There are numerous diets out there that guarantee that they... Read More
Come on, guys and gals. Those Trix are for kids.And... Read More
Secretly we all want just a few things in life,... Read More
To many people, this may seem a simplistic answer to... Read More
Wow! Is it just me or? Wait! Let me start... Read More
Can You Lose Weight Through Eating?You get fat when you... Read More
Heart disease results when plaque builds up inside the arterial... Read More
Nature works mostly on the principle of thing and no... Read More
In order for a person to actually have a healthy... Read More
Toxic metals exist in our environment as pollutants in our... Read More
When was the last time you consumed soda? Most likely,... Read More
Having a large amount of such "visceral fat" is associated... Read More
Manganese is a metallic mineral that was discovered by a... Read More
Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power. Over... Read More
The factors that affect the nutritional requirements of an individual... Read More
With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little... Read More
limo O'Hare Bonfield ..Acid reflux disease, or GERD, is a common compliant of... Read More
If you are like most people, you've tried dieting before.... Read More
In today's world, there's a definite need to be proactive... Read More
For decades science has been looking for the answers to... Read More
Here's food for thought! Did you know the average restaurant... Read More
The adrenal or "stress glands" are small, triangular shaped glands... Read More
What ancient tribes and people of the Amazon have known... Read More
Creating Your Target is easy.What I use to help create... Read More
After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in... Read More
The sugar industry and the food manufacturers are capitalizing BIG... Read More
Today we're shifting our focus from wealth to health. First... Read More
Wow! Is it just me or? Wait! Let me start... Read More
A frequent misunderstanding about macrobiotics is that it is a... Read More
Following these simple nutrition guidelines will allow you to lose... Read More
This is usually the forgotten element of most mass programs.... Read More
Archeological records indicate that man has cultivated the olive tree... Read More
Dr. Barry Sears revolutionized nutritional thinking around the world with... Read More
Glucosamine is readily produced in the human body and is... Read More
The Benefits of SnackingYou may feel regretful about snacking, but... Read More
Do you want more energy? How about more of the... Read More
What if you could actually slow your rate of aging,... Read More
Can we really stop the aging process, slow it down,... Read More
Are you sick and tired of the confusion about our... Read More
White-spotted or yellow splotched teeth may reveal more than needed... Read More
Many of us, probably even you, want this thing called... Read More
Nutrition |