Reading food labels to tell the difference between whole foods and processed foods can be tough. Food makers often make it really confusing to know what's healthy. Here are some common problems you might face:
Ingredients List: Processed foods usually have long lists of ingredients full of strange chemicals and additives. Whole foods, on the other hand, often have shorter ingredient lists or might not need a label at all.
Misleading Terms: Words like “natural,” “organic,” or “healthy” can be tricky. Just because a food says it’s “natural” doesn’t mean it’s not processed a lot. Also, organic processed foods aren’t always whole foods.
Nutritional Information: The nutrition facts on the package often show calories, fat, and sugar, but they can hide important details about how the food is made. Whole foods usually have more nutrients and fiber, but they might get lost among many processed choices.
Serving Sizes: Serving sizes can be confusing too. A package might show low calories or sugar for one serving, but many people eat more than one serving at a time. This can lead to eating more than we think!
To help tackle these challenges, here are some tips:
Educate Yourself: Learn what whole foods and processed foods are. Get to know common additives and how to spot them on ingredient lists.
Shop the Perimeter: When you go grocery shopping, stick to the outside areas of the store. This is where fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy are usually found. Try to avoid the middle aisles that have more processed foods.
Invest in Whole Foods: Focus on buying whole ingredients that aren’t processed much, like oats, nuts, vegetables, and beans. Use these in your meals.
By using these tips, you can start making better choices and enjoying a diet full of whole foods!
Reading food labels to tell the difference between whole foods and processed foods can be tough. Food makers often make it really confusing to know what's healthy. Here are some common problems you might face:
Ingredients List: Processed foods usually have long lists of ingredients full of strange chemicals and additives. Whole foods, on the other hand, often have shorter ingredient lists or might not need a label at all.
Misleading Terms: Words like “natural,” “organic,” or “healthy” can be tricky. Just because a food says it’s “natural” doesn’t mean it’s not processed a lot. Also, organic processed foods aren’t always whole foods.
Nutritional Information: The nutrition facts on the package often show calories, fat, and sugar, but they can hide important details about how the food is made. Whole foods usually have more nutrients and fiber, but they might get lost among many processed choices.
Serving Sizes: Serving sizes can be confusing too. A package might show low calories or sugar for one serving, but many people eat more than one serving at a time. This can lead to eating more than we think!
To help tackle these challenges, here are some tips:
Educate Yourself: Learn what whole foods and processed foods are. Get to know common additives and how to spot them on ingredient lists.
Shop the Perimeter: When you go grocery shopping, stick to the outside areas of the store. This is where fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy are usually found. Try to avoid the middle aisles that have more processed foods.
Invest in Whole Foods: Focus on buying whole ingredients that aren’t processed much, like oats, nuts, vegetables, and beans. Use these in your meals.
By using these tips, you can start making better choices and enjoying a diet full of whole foods!