For other types of fat such as unsaturated or saturated fat, these should be consumed in small amounts.
Be mindful of the sodium content
Another thing to take note of when it comes to how to read food labels for healthy eating is how much sodium is in the food. Foods such as chips and canned goods have a lot of sodium, and just like fats, should be eaten only in moderation.
Ideally, the food you eat should have a percent daily value of 5% or lower for sodium. This helps ensure that you are not consuming too much sodium, which can cause heart problems.
Check how much sugar is written on the label
Just like fats and sodium, sugar is another nutrient that you need to eat less of. Some foods, such as fruit drinks are naturally sweet, so they tend to have a higher amount of sugar. However, you might notice that some juice drinks have what’s called “added sugars” on the label.
Added sugars means that additional sugar was added to make the drink sweeter. Food and drink with added sugar should be avoided as much as possible, since these tend to have a very high amount of sugars, and can be very unhealthy.
Take note of the vitamins and other nutrients
Lastly, you need to check the vitamins and nutrients on the label. This helps give you a rough idea of what nutrients you are taking in when you eat certain foods. This is an important tip in the discussion about how to read food labels for healthy eating.
This is especially helpful if you are trying to up your intake of specific vitamins and minerals. In particular, nutrients such as vitamins A, B12, C, D, E, fiber, calcium, choline, magnesium, potassium, and iron are essential for your health. Try to look for foods with these specific nutrients in mind.
With these tips, you’ve learned how to read food labels for healthy eating. You should now be empowered to make healthier choices when it comes to the food you eat.
Learn more about Healthy Eating here.
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