Decoding Food Labels: How to Make Informed Choices at the Grocery Store

03.05.2024 - 14:14 / hgic.clemson.edu

When you stroll down the aisles of your local grocery store, you’re bombarded with various food products, each fighting for your attention. Amidst the colorful packaging and enticing claims, it can be challenging to make healthy choices. That’s where understanding food labels or the nutrition facts label comes in handy. This guide will show you how to decode food labels and make informed decisions that align with your nutritional goals.

The first step in understanding a food label is to look at the serving size. This tells you about the portion for which the nutrition information is provided. Be mindful of this because the nutritional values must be adjusted accordingly if you consume more or less than the serving size. It’s important to realize that all the nutrient amounts shown on the nutrition facts label, including the number of calories, refer to the serving size. This is not a recommendation on how much you should eat or drink. The serving size only reflects the amount that people typically eat or drink.

The calorie counts per serving on a nutrition facts label indicate the energy a particular portion of food provides. It’s essential to be mindful of your daily calorie needs. Understanding the calorie content of foods helps you balance your daily calorie intake to help support your health and nutritional goals. Whether you’re trying to maintain, gain, or lose weight, monitoring your calorie intake is critical to achieving your desired outcomes. While calories are necessary, it is also essential to prioritize nutrient-dense foods. Using the information on food labels will help you make balanced and mindful choices about your diet, meeting your nutritional needs while managing your calorie intake effectively.

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