Reading Labels 101: How to Read Labels to Choose Healthier Products

By HealthMeansWealth

The history and evolution of nutrition facts labeling. Initially, food labeling emerged as a safety precaution for customers as a result of food borne illness outbreaks in the 1850s.

What to look out for in a nutrition label.

Food labels are a source of very vital information for choosing healthy products. Right now, by law, all manufactured food must have a label.

Start with the serving size. Look out for the total calories. Make the percent daily values your guide. Look for the nutrition terms. Go for low in sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.

Food labels can help people with allergies or intolerances.

The major foods or ingredients that can cause severe adverse reactions must be declared on the label no matter how small the amount.

Secrets of understanding the ingredient list.

Ingredients ending in "ose" are all types of sugar (fructose corn syrup is a complicated name for a cheap artificial sugar).

Food labels have a lot of information, it’s usually hard to know what you should be opting for and what it all means. But if you want to enhance your diet and make wise choices, it's essential to get into the habit of checking the label.