Food Labels... Do You Know What to Look For?

On Monday, food manufacturers and retailers announced yet another front of pack nutrition labeling system. 

Let me tell you how I feel about it... Ugh. 


The system is called "Nutrition Keys" and its designed to show the calories, saturated fat, sodium and sugar per serving. Are Americans so clueless that they can't turn a food package over to read these items for themselves? Puh-leese. If someone cares about this info, they are going to look for it. Adding it to the front of package is only going to add confusion for those who don't know what they are looking for. 


This new initiative follows the failed Smart Choices program... a front of pack symbol designed to denote a "healthy choice." This program was nixed when the public and media realized products like Fruit Loops qualified for the "healthy" stamp of approval. Talk about confusing.


These new Nutrition Keys are going to do nothing to help the public. Below I offer a few things for you to look for when shopping for you and your family. These is just a few pointers. If you have some interest in learning more detailed info, please comment below.


1. Read the ingredients. Go only for products with ingredients you recognize and can pronounce. Simpler is better. 
2. Fiber when shopping for breads, cereals, pastas etc... Whole grains are best. Fiber can help you determine if the product truly has whole grains in it. I shoot for 3g or more per serving. 
3. Sodium.  Often the more sodium, the more processed a product is. America's kids (and adults) eat way too much sodium... the majority of it coming from packaged products. Kids shouldn't have much more than 1200-1500 mg per day, adults 2300 mg. Most of us get almost twice that. 
4. Go for things without labels- like fresh fruits and vegetables. No confusing messages there. They are good for you. Period.


All in all, if you provide your kids with: 

• a balanced diet consisting of mostly home cooked meals (be creative!)
• lots of fruits and vegetables
• little or no processed foods
• opportunities to exercise

you'll be doing much better than if you worry too much about the labels on the front or back of food packages. 

Kelley