Sunday, February 25, 2007
Ingredient List Tips
Don't stop after eyeing the Nutrition Facts label: your nutrition investigation is not complete until you have scanned the ingredient list. It can reveal important info.
Order of Importance: Most important is that ingredients are listed in descending order from most to least, by weight. So, if you see water and high fructose corn syrup as the first two ingredients in a "fruit" drink, put it back on the shelf.
Sugar Secrets: The ingredient list can help you decipher if the sugars listed under carbohydrates are naturally occurring or added and can alert you to the presence of artificial sweeteners.
Allergens Revealed: Reading the ingredient label is a must if you suffer from a food allergy or intolerance. The possible presence of eggs, milk, wheat, shellfish, nuts or peanuts must be revealed in the ingredient list or in a statement nearby.
Order of Importance: Most important is that ingredients are listed in descending order from most to least, by weight. So, if you see water and high fructose corn syrup as the first two ingredients in a "fruit" drink, put it back on the shelf.
Sugar Secrets: The ingredient list can help you decipher if the sugars listed under carbohydrates are naturally occurring or added and can alert you to the presence of artificial sweeteners.
Allergens Revealed: Reading the ingredient label is a must if you suffer from a food allergy or intolerance. The possible presence of eggs, milk, wheat, shellfish, nuts or peanuts must be revealed in the ingredient list or in a statement nearby.
