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 team near Winnetka ..Your face turns flush and your skin starts to itch.... Read More
Each and every person living in the UK is... Read More
Monosodium glutamate, commonly known as MSG, was thought of as... Read More
There are numerous diets out there that guarantee that they... Read More
Headlines:Nearly a quarter of American adults just got diagnosed with... Read More
Picture yourself in one of the following scenarios.You're cruising along... Read More
There's no doubt--carbohydrates have taken center stage in public discourse... Read More
Because of consumer demand, the food industry focus is on... Read More
I'll preface this article by saying that it will help... Read More
Mannatech's patent-pending glyconutrients complex, Ambrotose, is perhaps the greatest wellness... Read More
The best weight training and cardio workouts will do very... Read More
The acai (ah-sigh-ee) berry has been around for thousands of... Read More
How many times have you tried to diet/lose weight in... Read More
FOOD (Macro-nutrients)One of the most important aspects of hill walking... Read More
What is Cholesterol?Before we go into how to reduce your... Read More
About 12.6 million Americans currently have heart disease.1.1 million Americans... Read More
You can eat whole flax seeds but you need to... Read More
The total calories that you should be consuming depend on... Read More
Healthy eating is important for everyone, from babies to the... Read More
Since the beginning of time, everyday fruits have been known... Read More
In order to eat fewer calories than you need, you... Read More
The quality of food we eat (or lack thereof) has... Read More
Many people avoid avocados thinking them to be fattening, but... Read More
Most recipes end with instructions to "serve immediately." You could... Read More
You say you don't know what glyconutrients are? You are... Read More
family-safe home cleaners Northbrook ..If you are like most people, you don't enjoy the... Read More
Fat burning compatible foods seem to be a popular topic... Read More
Our diet is an essential factor for the formation of... Read More
Could it be possible that our beloved chocolate may actually... Read More
Most digestive disorders develop because of the bodys inability to... Read More
Fad diets have been around for more than 50 years... Read More
As you've probably heard before, your post-workout meal may very... Read More
Carbohydrates have gotten a lot of bad press in the... Read More
Diets don't work. If they did the U.S. of A.... Read More
PROTEIN DEFICIENT? CHANCES ARE YOU ARE!Did you know that 9... Read More
Beverages - and not just alcohol - are a significant... Read More
(Part 1 of a Special 5 Part Series on Body... Read More
You've no doubt heard the saying, "You are what you... Read More
New studies bring to our attention that high levels of... Read More
Millions of people around the UK consume dairy products on... Read More
If you are like most people, you've tried dieting before.... Read More
One way to combat the boredom many people complain accompanies... Read More
Enzymes are the workers in our body that make everything... Read More
Cholesterol finds its way into our bodies in two main... Read More
Here's food for thought! Did you know the average restaurant... Read More
Your magnificent machine is, in fact, a symbiotic collection of... Read More
Much controversy and argument surrounds the idea that food may... Read More
Since the beginning of time, everyday fruits have been known... Read More
Looking for an easy and natural way increase your vitality... Read More
You can spot a juicer a mile off at the... Read More
Nutrition |