Well you probably already know you shouldn't believe everything you read, except for this blog of course. What I am actually referring to is the language, phrases, and words used on Nutrition Labels of foods. These labels are there to inform you the consumer what is in the food you are about to purchase or eat. However what many don't know is that how you interpret or define the words like "fat free", "zero calories", and "sugar free" to mean are not exactly how the Food and Drug Administration defines these terms. So I have taken it upon myself to increase your knowledge so you can be as informed and empowered as possible out there in the cold hard world of health and wellness.
Here is how the Food and Drug Administration defines some of the common used language and phrases on food packages that you may be surprised about FATS
Fat Free = Less than 0.5 grams per serving.
Low saturated fat = 1 gram or less per serving
Low fat = 3 grams or less per serving
Reduced fat = At least 25% less fat than regular version
Light in fat = Half the fat of the regular version
CALORIES
Calorie free = Less than 5 calories per serving
Low calorie = 40 calories or less per serving
Reduced or less calories = At least 25% fewer calories than regular version
Light or lite = Half the fat or a third of the calories of regular version
SODIUM
Sodium free or salt free = Less than 5 milligrams per serving
Very low sodium = 35 milligrams or less per serving
Low sodium = 140 milligrams or less per serving
Unsalted or no salt added = No salt added to product during processing
SUGAR
Sugar free - less than 0.5 grams per serving.
Well there you have it and there are more. If you want to know more you can checkout the FDA website for more details on how they define words on nutrition labels and packaging. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/2lg-xa.html
So now that you are smarter and more knowledgeable - what are you going to do about it?
Well I say the easiest way to not have to be more confused about the FDA labels and nutritional facts is to just simply do your best to eat as close to nature as possible. If the majority of the foods you eat are in their natural form with very minimal processing if any, then you are on the right track. Live clean and eat clean.
Remember that EDUCATION and SAFETY always leads to RESULTS.
Be Well.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A Food Labeling Guide - IX. Appendix A
Well you probably already know you shouldn't believe everything you read, except for this blog of course. What I am actually referring to is the language, phrases, and words used on Nutrition Labels of foods. These labels are there to inform you the consumer what is in the food you are about to purchase or eat. However what many don't know is that how you interpret or define the words like "fat free", "zero calories", and "sugar free" to mean are not exactly how the Food and Drug Administration defines these terms. So I have taken it upon myself to increase your knowledge so you can be as informed and empowered as possible out there in the cold hard world of health and wellness.
Here is how the Food and Drug Administration defines some of the common used language and phrases on food packages that you may be surprised about
FATS
CALORIES
SODIUM
SUGAR
Well there you have it and there are more. If you want to know more you can checkout the FDA website for more details on how they define words on nutrition labels and packaging. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/2lg-xa.html
So now that you are smarter and more knowledgeable - what are you going to do about it?
Well I say the easiest way to not have to be more confused about the FDA labels and nutritional facts is to just simply do your best to eat as close to nature as possible. If the majority of the foods you eat are in their natural form with very minimal processing if any, then you are on the right track. Live clean and eat clean.
Remember that EDUCATION and SAFETY always leads to RESULTS.
Be Well.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A Food Labeling Guide - IX. Appendix A