Discussing :: How to Read Nutrition Labels

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I always try to read the labels of unfamiliar products – not for anything in particular, but rather to see whether one constituent stands out – eg, high sodium, calories etc. - which might act as a warning against my buying it. As soon as I have made a decision ad bought the product however, I seem to forget all about this and never refer to the nutrtition labels once a product is in my pantry.

However, one of my gripes is that nutrition labels are often printed at a size just too small for me to be able to read in the supermarket. I often see others struggling as well. Some packaging isn't very big so that it can't be helped. However, often this isn't the case and I almost feel like the manufacturer is trying to hide something.

What also makes me cross this the very misleading 'highlight' labels put on some food products to make them appear 'better; than their competitors. I see these all the time but can't think of one at the moment. An example would be 'sugar free' on a bottle of oil - of course it is!

My final moan concerns prepacked fruit and vegetables. Too often the weight of is not included on prepacked fruit and vegetable bags/boxes. I want to know how much one brand's box of strawberries weights in comparison to another brand. Of course it's difficult with the irregular shapes, but even an approximate weight would be far better than nothing!

I am trying to teach myself to read labels more when shopping hopefully without my man tagging along cause apparently I take to long but he is constantly reminded that it is for both of our benefits...It is also interesting when you see some of the ingredients put into products you like to eat....I don't like the fat free label on products to, because they are misleading because those items are usually high in sugar etc...but I would have to say labeling in NZ is so much better than other places I have lived in some places they were non-existent

Thanks for this vital information, Becki :)

o00o0 good info.. have been trying to learn to label read!! thanks!!

Most products don't seem to list calorie content. I wish they did as I've been trying to restrict my calorie intake slightly for the past few weeks.

I think you take the Kj reading & divide it by 3, or 4 to get calories.

HI,
Great information posted here.. Thanks for sharing this unique information..

And if you have some problems with that, you may just ask your therapist. read how to choose him properly at http://www.writingroom.com/viewwriting/GeorgeWolfson/How-to-Choose-a-Therapist And good luck with your health!