Nutritional Information
Where do we get our nutritional information from?
How do we interpret food labels? Food labels can be difficult and confusing to understand. We can often waste time trying to figure out the meanings of food labels and how to use them. Many people rely fully on the health claims presented on the front of food packaging as their ultimate guide, instead of reading the label properly in order to choose beneficial and healthy food and drink choices. The nutrition content claims that are included on some labels are often misleading and entice the buyer into purchasing a product by stating information such as 'low fat', 'reduced salt' and 'high fibre'. Even though these claims can lead a buyer to healthier choices it is important to not rely entirely on these statements and to look further into the product by checking the claim using the Nutrition information panel on the products packeting.
There are many simple ways that a person can use to understand and interpret a food label. A food label provides us with keys to help choose which foods and drinks are healthy and how much to consume of a certain product. When reading a food label it is important to examine the serving size before comparing products and to make sure the serving sizes are the same. When interpreting a food label choose products that are low in total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and sodium. This means they must contain less than 5 percent in the daily value column. In contrast choose food choices that are high in dietary fibre, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and calcium. These should contain over 20 percent in the daily value column. Using these tips it will be easier to compare similar products and choose the most beneficial and healthiest option for your dietary needs.
How do we interpret food labels? Food labels can be difficult and confusing to understand. We can often waste time trying to figure out the meanings of food labels and how to use them. Many people rely fully on the health claims presented on the front of food packaging as their ultimate guide, instead of reading the label properly in order to choose beneficial and healthy food and drink choices. The nutrition content claims that are included on some labels are often misleading and entice the buyer into purchasing a product by stating information such as 'low fat', 'reduced salt' and 'high fibre'. Even though these claims can lead a buyer to healthier choices it is important to not rely entirely on these statements and to look further into the product by checking the claim using the Nutrition information panel on the products packeting.
There are many simple ways that a person can use to understand and interpret a food label. A food label provides us with keys to help choose which foods and drinks are healthy and how much to consume of a certain product. When reading a food label it is important to examine the serving size before comparing products and to make sure the serving sizes are the same. When interpreting a food label choose products that are low in total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and sodium. This means they must contain less than 5 percent in the daily value column. In contrast choose food choices that are high in dietary fibre, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and calcium. These should contain over 20 percent in the daily value column. Using these tips it will be easier to compare similar products and choose the most beneficial and healthiest option for your dietary needs.
What information does the media provide? Is this always reliable? Why/Why not? The media is frequently turned to regarding nutritional information. But is it always reliable? The answer is no. The media is responsible for providing the public with many stories through news headlines about nutrition and the right diet for our bodies. Television, newspapers, radios, magazines and the internet all report on health and the information they provide can be frustrating and difficult to understand for the audience. They emphasise and promote different points of view from professional studies to the results of single study diets that contrary the current health recommendations. For a viewer or reader the change in the stories from week to week can be very confusing. It is important to remember that the media is not always concerned for an individual's health but focus on newsworthy pieces that they believe will capture and entice the public's attention. The source in which a person receives their information reflects how reliable it may be. The media can sometimes lead us down the correct path with some true health articles and TV headlines but it is important to not rely completely on the information given by the media as a guide for all eating choices.
What certifications do some foods have? Food certifications certify that a product meets a qualification criteria after passing performance tests and quality assurance tests. These food certifications all aim to protect the environment, workers and consumers in a safe and fair way. There are many different programs that certify food products. Fair trade certified is designed to help consumers support products that come from farms that have been guaranteed to provide fair wages and safe working conditions. Rainforest Alliance certified assures consumers that their product is produced in a way that protects wildlife, water and soil. It also shows that the workers and families of the workers benefit from good working conditions, decent wages, healthcare and education. Organic certified means that no synthetic chemicals, fertilisers, pesticides, growth hormones, growth regulators or herbicides were used in the growth or process of making a certain product. It also ensures that the plants or plant materials used are not Genetically Modified Organisms and that the environment and animal welfare is respected during the production of a product. Gluten free certified is aimed generally at people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Different programs have a variety of standards and check for different levels of trace gluten in the product they certify. Some make sure that the product contains less than 10 parts per million while others strictly require less than 5 parts per million. All of these certifications and many more provide the consumer with information about the product they are buying and how it was produced. It ensures that they are purchasing a product that benefits the environment, takes care of its worker or will support and cater for a disease, allergy or intolerance.