When you look at food labels, it can be confusing. Sometimes this confusion leads to making unhealthy food choices. Here are some common mistakes people make and how to avoid them:
Not Paying Attention to Serving Sizes: A lot of people forget to check serving sizes. This can lead to eating double or even triple the calories that are shown on the label. Always look at the serving size and adjust how much you eat based on that.
Only Thinking About Calories: Calories are important, but focusing only on them can be tricky. Some foods that are low in calories might be full of sugar and other additives. Instead, check if the food has good nutrients in it.
Confusing Percent Daily Values: The % Daily Value can be hard to understand. If it says 5% on the label, that’s low. If it says 20% or more, that’s high. This can help you figure out how much of certain nutrients you’re getting each day.
Ignoring the Ingredients List: The ingredients are listed by weight, meaning the first few ingredients are the most important. If sugar is one of the first few ingredients, the food might not be as healthy as you think.
To get better at reading labels, take some time to learn about it. You can also ask for help from nutrition resources or professionals. Understanding these labels can really help you make better food choices!
When you look at food labels, it can be confusing. Sometimes this confusion leads to making unhealthy food choices. Here are some common mistakes people make and how to avoid them:
Not Paying Attention to Serving Sizes: A lot of people forget to check serving sizes. This can lead to eating double or even triple the calories that are shown on the label. Always look at the serving size and adjust how much you eat based on that.
Only Thinking About Calories: Calories are important, but focusing only on them can be tricky. Some foods that are low in calories might be full of sugar and other additives. Instead, check if the food has good nutrients in it.
Confusing Percent Daily Values: The % Daily Value can be hard to understand. If it says 5% on the label, that’s low. If it says 20% or more, that’s high. This can help you figure out how much of certain nutrients you’re getting each day.
Ignoring the Ingredients List: The ingredients are listed by weight, meaning the first few ingredients are the most important. If sugar is one of the first few ingredients, the food might not be as healthy as you think.
To get better at reading labels, take some time to learn about it. You can also ask for help from nutrition resources or professionals. Understanding these labels can really help you make better food choices!