Reading labels is an essential part of any weight loss program. Being able to clearly identify key components of a food item is vital to the success of your diet. You have to be careful when you read the label and be extremely thorough. Labels are placed on food items because it is required by law. Marketers are forced to display this information but it does not keep them being tricky about it.
Lets take a look at a sample label.
See here we have the Serving Size of the food item. First we have the Serving Size which is 1 oz. or 28 grams. Then there is the Servings Per Container which is 16. This is where you have to be careful. On small items like a bag of chips or cookies, people tend to skip this part of the label and go straight to the Amount Per Serving Section. This where you will kill yourself. Most small items have a Servings per container with more then 1. They usually have 2 or even 2 1/2 servings per container. Not being aware of this, people do not correctly calcuate the Nutrition Facts for that item. When they think they are eating 200 calories in reality they are eating 400 or even 500 calories.
Next thing to look at is Calories and Calories from fat. Most people only look at the total calories. Here we see that this item has 190 calories. Not alot of calories. But here is the killer. Calories from fat is a whopping 150. Making this item over 80% fat. A big misconception of people who read labels is, there is not a lot of saturated fat becasue the lablel says only 2grams of saturated fat. Wrong, there is another 15 grams of fat. Where does this come from? My best guess is that about another 10 -13 grams of fat are trans fat which is the fat responsible for obesisty.
Next we see the % Daily Value. This is recommended daily allowance set by the FDA. This item has a total of 25% fat inregards to your recommened dailiy aloowance. That means that is you eat 4 of these food items, your fat intake would have to be cut off for the rest of the day.
Another item we should look @ is Total Carboydrates. This is the evil demon among low-carb dieters. The FDA's recommended daily allowance for carb intake is around 330 grams per day. There are good carbs and bad carbs. The bad carbs would be considered Sugars. In this case there is only 1g of sugar and 3 g of Dietary Fiber. In regards to carb intake this is a good product.
Then there is the protein. The more the better. Remember this fact. 1 gram of protein and carbs are the equvalient to 4 calories. 1 gram of fat is the equivalent to 9 calories. I hope this article has cleared up some issues in regards to reading labels. Any educated dieter is a successful dieter.
Joe Maresca
Senior Health & Fitness Advisor
http://www.getbuilt.net
Joe has over 15 years of health & fitness experience. He has helped numerous individuals meet their fitness goals.
same day cleaning service Des Plaines ..Contrary to common belief, your weight is not really the... Read More
There are several theories on the origins of Valentine's Day.... Read More
Is a weight loss workout routine right for you? Answer... Read More
Which diet pill are you currently taking for your weight... Read More
Although the big push for fad diets has died down... Read More
Have you heard about it lately? Everywhere you look, women... Read More
According to the American College of Surgeons, most severely obese... Read More
Fat Loss Tip #1) Train With WeightsWorking out with weights... Read More
If you have ever been snow skiing you know that... Read More
Weight loss is never easy. Although this is stating the... Read More
--ONE--Learn how to reduce the fat, sugar and salt content... Read More
I clearly remember how much I loathed having my picture... Read More
Recently, I read an article from Japanese magazine that by... Read More
Are you trying to lose weight?If you are, STOP!Funny thing... Read More
LivingAfterWLS reader feedback indicates snacking is the single biggest problem... Read More
I just finished working my quads on a weight machine.... Read More
Food intolerance is a pharmacological reaction to the consumption of... Read More
If you have been watching your weight all year, you... Read More
Did you know that how and when you eat is... Read More
Getting enough of the good fats will help you lose... Read More
Fat Loss Tip #2) Drink More WaterI know, I know,... Read More
Diners have become more health-conscious the last few years, and... Read More
Dieters have long searched for secret paths to easy weight... Read More
I gotta confess: I'm completely addicted to crisps. Any kind... Read More
Being overweight is no laughing matter. For those who are... Read More
home cleaning services Mundelein ..Did you say there's a way I can eat what... Read More
Zero Calorie Diet Sodas: Good Or Bad For Weight Loss?Calorie-free... Read More
Let me ask you a personal question. As you read... Read More
My name is Greg Ryan. I am a best selling... Read More
One of the worst things you can hear in life... Read More
What is a calorie? The definition of a calorie is... Read More
I'm sure you have pondered this question, for it is... Read More
Are you overweight?Most people are afraid to admit they are.It... Read More
With so many diets and fads being offered on the... Read More
I remember back in my senior year of high school... Read More
For some of us, food is warmth and love. We... Read More
Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power.Your Inner... Read More
Ever wonder if you have a serious problem with binge... Read More
Adverse Events with Volumetrics Dr. Barbara Rolls is a well... Read More
It's calorie-free, inexpensive and easily obtained - yet few people... Read More
I did it without starving myself or taking pills. How... Read More
I am Greg Ryan, a high profile fitness expert with... Read More
Are you dieting your way to bone loss?Are you aware... Read More
Eating when under stress isn't just about filling an emotional... Read More
Changing habits is one of the most difficult challanges we... Read More
There are many factors that cause us to increase body... Read More
On a little island half way in between Guam and... Read More
Exercising too hardThis is probably the most common mistake. As... Read More
Let's face when it comes to overweight and obesity there... Read More
With summer completed and school back in session, it'll be... Read More
Weight Loss |