How to read food labels correctly: main points

To determine whether a food is suitable for a balanced nutrition plan, you just need to read the label. It seems very simple, but in fact, you need to be able to read labels correctly.

In this regard, Greatist decided to publish the most important rules for reading labels. Thanks to them, you can find out absolutely everything you need to know about the product.

Serving size

Before you start analyzing the ingredients of a potato chip or oatmeal, you need to read the package to see how many servings it contains.

Simply find out how many servings are in one packet and choose only one.

Calories

Of course, you need to pay attention to them. However, in addition to calories, various foods also contain other substances that can unbalance your diet. By the way, modern snacks can contain the same amount of calories as a single candy bar, but the amount of other substances can be significantly higher.

Percentage of the daily value

This indicator demonstrates how much of a particular substance a person will receive by consuming a particular product.

Fats

The product label contains data on three types of fat: total, calculated, and trans fat. It is the latter two that you should pay the most attention to. Saturated fat is the type of fat that can be found in, for example, hamburgers. Eating a lot of saturated fat has a negative impact on heart function.

And trans fats are added to crackers, cookies, and other processed and packaged foods. It raises cholesterol levels.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates listed on food labels include three subtypes, namely sugar, starch, and fiber. The first two directly affect blood sugar levels, while the last one does not.

It is ideal if carbohydrates make up no more than 50% of your total daily calorie intake.