DO NUTRITION LABELS CONFUSE YOU?

I am always telling my readers, as you already know, to read the nutrition labels on the foods you buy.  I often have people tell me that it too much trouble or they are confused by the labels.  Maybe you will find this easier.  Read the ingredients list! 

• Fact - Ingredients are required to be listed in order of the amount in the product.  For example if sugar is listed as the first ingredient, there is more sugar in that product than any of the other ingredients.
• Fact - If you find sugar, trans fats, etc in the first few ingredients, you need to put that product back and look at another one.
• Fact - You are capable of making good decisions in the grocery store.  Take charge of what you eat and improve your health.  You can do this even if nutrition labels confuse you!

BEWARE OF SUGAR IN ITEMS LABELED "HEALTHY"

Note: This is a repost of a 2011 article, but it still applies today. Remember when manufacturers take something out of a food, so it can be labeled healthy, that something may be replaced with sugar or a sugar item to add flavor. Always read your food labels, especially if you are diabetic.

This is an item I posted here from my Diabetic Enjoying Food blog.

I know I repeat myself sometimes, but this is important. As a diabetic, you cannot just purchase and eat an item because it is labeled "healthy." Many foods, including those labeled "healthy" and many times especially those labeled "healthy," have way too much sugar! For example; a popular Yogurt Parfait with Fruit has 38 grams of sugar per parfait! An average Bran Muffin has 16 grams of sugar, and granola cereal - how often are you told to eat healthy granola? - averages around 13 grams of sugar per serving. I am not belittling these foods, just reminding you that the word "healthy" does not mean low in sugar. Beware and read the nutrition labels of all "healthy" foods.