Reading The Nutritional Labels

Sometimes learning to read the nutritional labels on your favorite foods can be a real frustrating experience. When all is said and done you have no idea of what nutrients you consumed.

Just as a book comes with a table of contents your food comes with something of the same. The Nutrition Facts labeled on your food gives you information about the nutrients that are in your food. Your body needs the right combination of vitamins and nutrients for you to function properly and stay healthy.

First look at the serving size, this is the amount in which you should consume. An example of this is when a package of cookies has a serving suggestion of 2 cookies per serving size. If you consume 4 cookies than you will need to double all the Nutritional Facts. Instead of 120 calories you would have consumed 240 calories and so on.

The calories on a food can come from fat, protein or carbohydrates. Limiting the amount of fat intake is a good idea. If you eat more calories than your body uses you might gain weight.

Labels will also show you how much cholesterol and sodium is in your food. Foods high in cholesterol and sodium are extremely important to limit when having high blood pressure or heart trouble.

A total carbohydrate is your body’s primary source of energy. This total is broken down into grams of sugar and grams of dietary fiber. The dietary fiber is the better choice of carbohydrates.

Protein is also measured in grams and is an essential part of your diet. Your body needs protein to build and repair muscles, blood, and organs.

Labels also list the amounts of vitamin A and C, calcium and iron that are in each serving size of food.

After learning how to read the labels you will be interested in reading every label that you pick up at the supermarket.

Good luck and healthy eating.