Food Labels: Fact or Fiction?
How often do you pick up items at the grocery and scan the labels? Do you understand them? Ever wonder if they are really accurate? Many consumers probably glance at them, but based on the current obesity rate today it seems as if people should pay more attention.
Selling food is a big business. Through clever marketing campaigns and tricky labeling, many companies are able to influence your feelings and buying decisions. However, food makers are required to follow guidelines set forth by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Such guidelines include listing health claims and noting the % of daily values per serving.
Health claims link a food or one of its components to a specific disease or health related condition. Classic examples include whole grain cereals advertising that they may lower cholesterol (General Mills) and more recently yogurt products (Yoplait) proclaiming that (3) servings of yogurt a day will help you burn more fat. Fortunately, these claims must be based on solid research. Moreover, only approved health claims may appear on foods that meet the set requirements.
What about daily values? Typically, the label reveals the % of daily value for total fat, saturated fat, total carbohydrates, dietary fiber and protein, which is based on consuming 2,000 calories per day. The daily value does make it easy to compare similar foods because the serving size is usually the same. The tricky part lies in discovering two critical pieces of information. First, the amount of calories required per day varies from person to person based on age and activity level. Second, it is necessary to determine if your serving size is smaller or larger than the serving size listed on the food label. Based on this information, consumers can begin to piece their own nutritional puzzle together.
However, be cautious as you can still be fooled by labels. For example, have you ever purchased fat free cooking spray? Many people assume it is fat free. The reality is that the serving size is so small (1/3 second spray or .25 grams) that it is virtually impossible to spray enough to coat a pan without exceeding the serving size by at least threefold. Another red flag may be the fact that there are 557 servings in one 6 ounce can. Suddenly, in a larger serving size, it is no longer fat free. Wow! Is that legal? Yes, simply because in the serving size listed the fat value is negligible. Ironically, the fat free product managed to add fat to your meal.
The bottom line is this: people should eat a balanced diet based on their activity level, age and caloric needs. Understanding all of this information simply serves as a roadmap to directing consumers to make more informed and healthier food choices.
References
Understanding Food Labels
American Dietetic Association
Brian Schiff, PT, CSCS, is a respected author, physical therapist and fitness expert. You can sign-up for his free online newsletter @ http://www.thefitnessedge.cc.
Copyright © 2005 Brian Schiff
Latest News
Nutrition Wise: Osteoporosis Risk in Cancer Survivors, Graham ... Kansas City infoZine, MO - By Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN - Q: Is it true that cancer survivors face increased risk for osteoporosis? Q: Are graham cracker piecrusts lower in fat than ... |
New Holland school chef's creations draw a crowd Chicago Tribune, United States - Longtime Food Service Director Bernie Lane likes to keep stealth nutrition top secret. She reduced the fat content and increased the moistness of brownies ... |
Rockin' the right drink: Local couple makes nutrition colorful ... Norwalk Advocate, ct - By Harold Davis Amy Guerreri and her husband Robert of Old Greenwich are the co-founders of Rockin' Water, a vitamin water aimed at the youth market. ... |
 WNCT | Four Craven County Elementary Schools Recognized for Outstanding ... WNCT, NC - NEW BERN, NC (November 20, 2008) – USDA Food and Nutrition Service Regional Administrator Don Arnette presented Gold Certificates to School Board Officials ... |
Senior nutrition menu Rome Sentinel, NY - The nutrition program for persons age 60 and over is funded by the county Office for the Aging, state and federal grants, and contributions from ... |
 WNCT | ECU launches Holiday Drive to help needy families Greenville Daily Reflector, NC - ECU’s Department of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Department of Child Development and Family Relations received the grant, which will support a higher ... ECU launches holiday drive |
GHS, YMCA team up on exercise and nutrition plan Greenville News, SC - ... Achieving Total Health, physicians refer patients at risk for the conditions to the YMCA, where they will get a six-week exercise and nutrition plan. ... |
Tasks for Obama's ag sec: School food, subsidy cap Reuters - "With a downturn in the economy, USDA must meet the challenge of helping American families put food on the table and support their diets and nutrition," ... |
Nutrition awareness pilot project succeed in educating the poor Jakarta Post, Indonesia - Residents in Kalibaru, North Jakarta, said a pilot nutrition and health awareness project aimed at abolishing malnutrition helped them understand how to ... |
Nutrition tips to have a healthy Thanksgiving WKYC-TV, OH - CLEVELAND -- With Thanksgiving less than a week away, people are going to be eating more than usual. And while most Thanksgiving meals are full of savory, ... |
Resources
-
Wright Way Services.
Products include: i-Marketing Organizer, Article Organizer, 9 Weeks 4 Health Nutrition & Fitness Guide.
-
Fitness, Weight Control, and Nutrition During Pregnancy
fitness during pregnancy eBook.
-
Creatine: A practical guide.
Explode muscle growth with smart creatine use while avoiding adverse consequences
-
Melt The Fat - An Interactive Step-by-Step Exercise, Nutrition & Health Program
Melt the Fat & Gain a Life- A Total Life Makeover In 1 Complete & Interactive Program. Personal Trainer & Nutritionist Explains It All In Total Detail. Walk Away With A Fitness Routine & Eating Plan
-
Dr. Gabe Mirkin on Heath, Fitness and Nutrition
Dr. Gabe Mirkin reports on the latest breakthroughs in Health, Fitness, Nutrition, Men
-
Gain 6lbs of muscle in 15 days
Bodybuilding with or without steroids, Training & Nutrition, Supplements for bodybuilding, Reviews, Steroid Information
-
Pet Nutrition Information Center
Pet Nutrition and comparative pet food product information for pet owners and professionals
-
Calories in Food - Exercise to Burn Calories - Diet Calorie Needs
Information About Calories, Diet Nutrition & Weight loss
-
U-Seek-It Web Store | Website Marketing | Health and Nutrition
Website Marketing Products. Article Directory to draw traffic to a site, Tools to advertise a site to Search Engines.