When I read this article from the Huffington Post I knew I had to share it with you. So many Americans are uninformed as to where their food comes from, reading nutritional labels and understanding nutrition. Here are some highlights from the article.
1. Nutritional Labels aren't ALWAYS accurate
The FDA allows calorie counts on the standard "Nutrition Facts" labels to be off by as much as 20 percent before they even think about getting involved. Holy crap! Seriously? That is alot of calories to be off by. How do we combat this? Try to limit your processed foods. Fresh fruits and veggies aren't labeled and when made at home they are as healthy as you want them to be.
2. Food Companies Can Manipulate Serving Sizes
It is really important to look at serving sizes on nutritional labels. You can't assume one cookie or pizza is one serving size. Many times companies reduce calories and increase serving sizes so you are tricked into buying their products. Don't be fooled! Look at serving sizes and calories when making decisions.
3. Fat Free & Sugar Free? Forget them
When companies make products that are sugar or fat free they have to add other ingredients that are not good for you.There are also other studies that show drinks like diet soda actually trick your body into wanting more sugar and you end up consuming more calories. Do yourself a favor, DRINK WATER.
4. Are Foods Really What They Claim?
Whole grains? Real Fruit? We have all seen these claims right? This article explains that the FDA does not actually regulate how much of a certain ingredient must be present to label their packages to fool you into thinking they are healthy. Scary right?
Want to read more? ( yes, you do.)Read on.
