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Your Quick Guide To Reading Food Labels!

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14 Nov Your Quick Guide To Reading Food Labels!

Posted at 15:07h in Food Talk, General by

10524430 - nutrition facts

Unfortunately, if we want to make wise choices about our food, we can’t simply trust what we see on the front of a box. It’s up to us to locate the nutrition label and ingredient list and see what’s really in that food we eat. Here are our top tips for quick and easy label reading:
• While the “Nutrition Facts” portion of the label is helpful, it is not top priority. Seek out the INGREDIENT LIST to help advocate for the health of you and your family!

• The ingredient list is the place where you’ll find the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

• The first ingredient on the list is the largest ingredient.  Be sure it’s a healthy one!

• Select processed food items that have natural ingredients, and 5 or less ingredients when possible.

• Do not eat anything you cannot read, pronounce or understand.

• 80% of your daily food should come from live, whole, fresh sources:  think colorful plant foods!

• Life can happen sometimes:  boxed items or prepackaged goods can be used as a transition food for easy meal preparation when needed.

• Regardless of it being organic or not, processed foods lack the natural vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients we achieve with whole foods. Use them minimally and select high-quality food products when you do need them.

• Go with organic as much as possible.

TIP OF THE DAY: Here are some brands we love that you can find in many grocery stores.
Give them a try!

•Mary’s Gone Crackers Brand
•Late July Brand
•Annie’s Brand
•Back to Nature Brand
•Nature’s Path Cereal Brand
•Cascadian Farms Cereal
•Ezekiel 4:9 Brand
•Barbara’s Brand
•Rudi’s Organic Bread
•Udi’s Gluten Free Bread

WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Try to implement the 80/20 rule when consuming prepackaged foods. Remember that these prepackaged foods should not be used as a  staple in your diet, so aim to have them make up no more than 20% of your diet.  When you eat these items, it replaces the opportunity to eat whole, fresh foods filled with nutrients, vitamins and minerals.  Be selective about the quality of the prepackaged food you consume, as well as how often you consume it.
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