The grocery store aisle is full of information that is never put into consumer-friendly terms. To navigate all of the details on a food label, a little bit of research is required. Once you are armed with food label knowledge, healthier purchase decisions are a guarantee.
Nutritional Information
Many consumers have started to add their own Sticker Labels to make important nutritional information stand out. This allows for greater customization of the information when putting up food. If you’re on a diet, it is beneficial when inputting information when you don’t want to use an app.
Ingredient List
The ingredient list on the label goes by weight. This is an important thing to note if you’re trying to avoid specific preservatives or additives. You will also be able to tell if a product is choosing quantity over quality ingredients.
Serving Size
Ignoring the serving size is one of the biggest mistakes that shoppers make. Two different products that are the same weight can have completely different serving sizes. Canned items are notorious for this, as it is possible to have 3 to 4 servings per canned item! Serving size information is easy to identify, as it is always on the top of the nutrition section.
Daily Values
Daily value percentage is confusing at first glance since it is geared towards consumers on dietary restrictions. DV is a reference of the nutrients that contribute to the average daily diet, in a single serving. Without this information, shoppers have to build off of their own nutritional profile to get accurate information.
Calories
Calories are still one of the most popular ways to measure the amount of energy you get from a single serving of food. Even if you’re not on a diet, calories serve as an important way to maintain a healthy lifestyle. There are different values based on gender, with the minimum an important part of staying alert throughout the day.
Fats
All fats are not bad, and this has been true since the beginning of time. There is total fat, trans fat and saturated fat as the main ones. Balance is the key here, as too many trans fats can increase risks associated with heart disease.
Carbs
Just like calorie counting, carb counting has become a dietary trend. Carbs are an important energy source, but can easily be misinterpreted. Carbs are broken down into dietary sugars and fibers. A simplified way to view it is that low sugar and high fiber means the carbs are good. To take full advantage of good carbs, you have to go further into the nutritional value and look at protein, fat, sodium and more.
Allergens
Allergens are clearly marked on the front of the food item or on the back with the nutritional information. This is on the list of the most important things to look for when scanning label details. The warnings will also point out whether or not the product is produced in a facility that contains allergens.
A Crucial Skill in Understanding Food Labels
Not knowing the specifics of ingredients and nutrients can lead to bad food decisions. Labels are helpful, but you have to be able to interpret the information on the package. After gaining even a partial understanding of the code, you’ll have everything necessary to shop with confidence.