Get the Facts on Food Labels

You want to improve your health by eating foods that are good for you, so you buy things you think are healthy. But some food labels make food appear healthy when it really isn’t.

Checking food labels helps you skim the fat, cut sugar and hold the sodium while enjoying some of your favorite foods. A lot of information is listed on food packaging, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) makes sure all claims on food labels are true. But some words can be misleading. The words natural, low-fat and healthy on a label would indicate the food inside is good for you, but look closer.

According to the FDA:

• Natural means a food has no artificial ingredients.
• Foods labeled low-fat can’t have more than 3 grams of fat per serving.
• Healthy foods must contain certain amounts of vitamins and minerals.

But natural doesn’t mean a food is low-fat or healthy. Low-fat foods aren’t always lower in calories. And while foods can contain plenty of vitamins, they also can be high in sugar.

Also, be sure to check the label for the serving size. It’s important to note that pre-packaged food items often contain more than a single serving.

“One of the most important things we try to educate our diabetes patients on is making healthy choices in meal planning,” said Michelle Smith, diabetes educator with the Diabetes Management Program at Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital. “It’s not necessarily about eliminating certain foods, but more about moderation and balance.”

“Of course, for a person with diabetes, monitoring blood glucose is vital. However, for anyone trying to make healthier food choices, education is the key in reading food labels,” she added.