"Read the label, and set a better table." Does anybody remember that little ditty? It's sort of like the famous Libby's commercial from way back when. And now it's more important than ever to read - and understand - the information on nutrition labels. Anyways, do YOU look at labels of items you purchase in the store or do you just throw it in your shopping cart? You may wonder just why you need to read the label. "Isn’t this all good stuff that I am ingesting?" you ask yourself.
Well, not necessarily. We need to get some clarity on how to read those labels and get an understanding of what they really mean.
The order of how ingredients are listed is also important. Usually the item with the highest concentration in the food is listed first, therefore, WATCH OUT if sugar is the first ingredient in anything you consume. And sugar can be listed as corn syrup, dextrose, or sucrose, so be aware if these fall even into the second, third or fourth listing.
If the list of food has lots of long scientific sounding ingredients, it's more than likely they were created in a lab (preservatives, colors and additives).
Anything with “hydrogenated” words used is another no-no. These are trans fats which, according to doctors, are the worst type of fat. It raises the bad cholesterol and lowers the good cholesterol. Even if there is a zero in this category, beware. Products do NOT have to list trans fat as an additive if it is less than .5 grams.
And lastly, avoid fillers in foods and products and go more for your key nutrients. Keep sodium below the five percent daily value, get your fiber intake around four grams or more, snacks should be kept under 200 calories and meals around 600-700.
Eat up ... but be smart!
Thom Seehafer is a martial artist, body-builder and part-owner of Body Solutions Rx/Phoenix Fitness.
