Learn To Read Labels

Sharon Jane Akinyemi

Sharon Jane Akinyemi

Our markets are filled with an over-whelming number of food products from which to choose. But how do we know which food will give us the most nutrients for our money?

Eating nutritiously  in this day and age can be a challenge. Many professionals agree that the pesticides, hormones and additives in our diets are the culprits behind many diseases and health challenges, and these things can be especially harmful to children.

Whenever possible invest a little extra in organic fruits and vegetables. Pay more attention to food labels. By increasing the quality of your overall diet with nutritious whole foods and lots of pure, fresh water, you are supporting your body’s ability to neutralise and remove these toxins quickly.

You don’t have to become a fanatic to maintain a healthy body. But it does help to tune in to the potential basis. Become aware and start making little shifts in your nutritional habits. Your body will thank you.

Now that you have a better handle on what to eat, you need to be able to discern what’s inside those packages you are pulling off the shelves.You will be amazed at what you can learn (and how your choices will change) when you take the time to read the labels on all your potential purchases. Don’t assume all similar foods have the same components. Reading labels accurately is essential, because it is important to make choices based on complete information.

Check out the sample label and look for these things.

Serving Size: Always check the serving size first. If you eat more or less, you must adjust your calories according .

Daily Value: This tells you  how much of a day’s worth of fat, sodium, calories, etc., the food provides based on a two thousand calorie diet. It does not tell you the actual percentage in the food item; you must do the calculation yourself.

Calories From Fat: Now you can see just how many calories are coming from fat. You will have to do the math to compute the actual percentage. An easy rule of thumbs is:

15% fat = 1.5 grams per 100 calories

20% fat= 2.0grams per 100 calories

25% fat= 2.5 grams per 100 calories

Carbohydrates And Sugar: Become aware of the composition of your food. High sugar will promote blood sugar instability.

Fibre: Choose foods with a higher fibre content, which will slow down carbohydrate absorption. In processed foods and packaged cereals, choose foods with a minimum of two to four grammes of fibre per serving. There are a few cereals with six to eight grammes per serving. It is better to go for natural cereals like ( millet or corn cereal-pap)

Protein: Become aware of your protein sources. Did you get 15 to 30 percent in your diet today?

Read every product label before you purchase any food.    Always make eating nutritiously  your first priority. Try to eat a healthful mix of foods, with a special emphasis on lots of fruits and vegetables, and balance your carbohydrates protein, and fat to meet your body’s specific needs.

You can tell when you found the right blend-your body will respond with high energy.

Remember, you build a completely new body every seven years, and it can only be as strong as the supplies you give it to work with. You really are what you eat!

As you make decisions about how you will eat and live for a lifetime, remember that you can’t build a brick house out of straw, nor can you build a healthy body out of sugar.

For Questions and answers, lets connect @ www.facebook.com/BodyConfidenceFitnessClub.

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