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.
Copyrigh t ? 2005 Brian Schiff
cleaning help near Mundelein ..Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in... Read More
When it comes to food, we can't ignore the facts... Read More
Incorporating these fat loss tips will improve your nutrition program.... Read More
So what's all the shake up about anyway?. To put... Read More
The ingredients list found on the back or side panel... Read More
Almost every woman suffers with premenstrual syndrome at one time... Read More
One of the most common questions I am asked is... Read More
(Part 1 of a Special 5 Part Series on Body... Read More
Monosodium glutamate, commonly known as MSG, was thought of as... Read More
Diet nutrition physiqueToday, learning about diet nutrition physique isn't all... Read More
You know about Vitamins A,C, D, E ,and the B's... Read More
If you have high cholesterol, the American Heart Association's low-cholesterol,... Read More
Most red and white meats are very fatty and are... Read More
Although you may have heard about soy and all of... Read More
A green and lush oasis in the middle of a... Read More
For those of us that understand nutrition and it's importance... Read More
I start from the premise that eating instinctively means eating... Read More
Diets concern especially Americans as they do have a "national... Read More
With all the news about Splenda of late and the... Read More
Millions of people around the UK consume dairy products on... Read More
Understanding ocular nutrition and eye health can be one of... Read More
I am sure you have heard you have to build... Read More
Approximately 30 years ago, food manufacturers were competing against the... Read More
Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for... Read More
Nutrition usually only comes up when people are finally deciding... Read More
reliable maid service Wilmette ..It slows ageing, promotes healthy vision, has anti-cancer properties, increases... Read More
What if there was a combination of foods that were... Read More
Nutrition facts have become a part of everyday life because... Read More
The American Heart Association recommends that you eat a variety... Read More
There are numerous diets out there that guarantee that they... Read More
After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in... Read More
When you actually sit down and think about it, bottled... Read More
This free list of fat burning foods will help you... Read More
White-spotted or yellow splotched teeth may reveal more than needed... Read More
Arthritis - if you suffer from this illness, I don't... Read More
First some terminology.Fructose ... a five carbon sugar that occurs... Read More
Millions of people around the UK consume dairy products on... Read More
Being vegetarian is one of the greatest things in the... Read More
Sprouts not only taste good, but they are also a... Read More
We sometimes hear about ways that we can take care... Read More
Diets don't work. If they did the U.S. of A.... Read More
Since 1994, food manufacturers have required the Food and Drug... Read More
So what's all the shake up about anyway?. To put... Read More
Are Your Cells Talking To Each Other?Communication! It permeates our... Read More
If you're suffering from constipation, you are no doubt looking... Read More
Bread is one of the oldest known recipes to man.... Read More
Many people complain that organic foods are more costly than... Read More
After WLS we must concentrate on eating nutrient rich food.... Read More
One of the biggest mistakes many new bodybuilders make is... Read More
Beans. Legumes. Pulses. Whatever you call this plant group, they... Read More
Nutrition |