Finding healthy, tasty food can be frustrating, especially with products wrapped in confusing packaging or promoted through skewed marketing.
You’re not alone in your frustration.
However, a “label-first” mentality helps you break through the confusion and misrepresentation to make more informed choices that support your overall health goals. Here are a few tips to help you make better food decisions based on a label-first mindset.
1. Check the “Added Sugar” first on the Nutritional Panel.
If it is high on the list or there is too much sugar, it is your first warning that this is probably an ultra-processed food and should be avoided .
2. Next, Check the Serving Size
Be sure to first carefully check serving size and servings per container when considering a product. Adjust numbers if you eat more or less than one serving.
3. Count Those Calories
Check calories per serving to track your energy intake (calories are considered fuel for the body). Eating more than one serving increases calories quickly, so be mindful.
4. Scan for Key Nutrients
Look for items like fiber, vitamins (especially D), calcium, iron, and potassium when examining labels. Be sure to limit saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, added sugars, and sodium (linked to chronic diseases).
5. When in Doubt, Use the % Daily Value
The % Daily Value (% DV) is incredibly helpful as it shows if a food is high or low in a nutrient. The rule of thumb is: 5% DV or less is considered low, 20% DV or more is high.
6. Scour the Ingredients List
Check a label’s ingredient list for added sugars and unhealthy fats hiding under different names. If you can’t pronounce the name of an ingredient, or unclear what it is, do research before adding it to your cart.
7. Don’t Be Duped by Marketing
Ignore front-of-package claims like “all natural” or “low fat”. Instead, rely on labels and ingredient lists for the real story.
NutriFusion
NutriFusion develops all‐natural fruit and vegetable powders that are nutrient dense for when you do not have access to fresh produce…and even when you do to improve your vitamin intake. Sourcing only whole, non-GMO foods, NutriFusion offers consumers a concentrated micronutrient and phytonutrient-rich food ingredient blends. With a farm-to-table philosophy, NutriFusion’s proprietary process stabilizes the nutrients from perishable fruits and vegetables, allowing a longer shelf life and access to vital nutrients.
NutriFusion fruit and/or vegetable powders are for use in foods, beverages, supplements, and pet foods.
NutriFusion can help! Visit us at www.nutrifusion.com.
