How to Read the Nutrition Label

Happy Hump Day!

I was walking through the grocery store last night looking for some new granola bars when it dawned on me that it took 10 minutes to pick one out!  With so many choices, I had to read each nutrition label to determine what would work best for me.  In an attempt to help YOU pick the healthy from the less healthy, I have decided to touch upon how to read the nutrition label. 

Here is a diagram to get us started......

 

 

Sugar: 

 

Keep the sugars low!  Excess sugar can raise your blood sugar levels and contribute to your risk for Type 2 Diabetes.  Watch out for the sugary drinks like soda and tea which provide no nutritional value.  Try to keep your sugar intake to natural sources like fruits and vegetables.

 

Sodium:

 

Excess sodium can raise blood pressure putting extra pressure on the heart!  Salt and processed foods are the key culprits in raising these levels.  Limit extra salt added on at the dinner table and be weary of entrees ordered at restaurants.

 

Fat:

 

There are different types of fat to be aware of when reading the label.  Saturated fats and trans fats contribute to raised LDL and total cholesterol levels.  These are the ones you want to avoid!  Unsaturated fats or "healthy fats" are essential in helping with a number of functions in the body including improving heart health!  What are healthy fats?  Nuts, avocados, and peanut butter are a few examples.

 

I hope this has helped in your journey to live a healthy lifestyle.   :)