Ignorance Is Bliss...

I am amazed by the number of people who do not read nutrition facts panels. As part of my job I spend a lot of time in grocery stores...and I am constantly shocked as to how many people blindly swipe products from the store shelf, without so much as a twist of the wrist to turn the product over and look at the nutrition facts panel. Sure, some products are staple items and at some point long ago the customer took the time to look at the nutrition facts panel. But more often than not, people do not take the time to look at what they are actually eating. Ignorance is bliss...but isn't knowledge power? 

In addition to frequenting grocery stores, it is also my job to teach people the importance of reading nutrition facts panels, how to read a nutrition facts panel, and how to compare nutrition facts panels of different products. This is sometimes a daunting task. Without any previous knowledge, learning how to navigate through the serving size, calories, nutrients, etc. can take quite some time. But it is a necessary skill to acquire, if you want to make conscious decisions about the food you eat. Do you know what you are eating?

Personally, I am a label reading addict--I never eat something without first looking at the nutrition facts panel. I do not expect anyone else (aside from maybe some of my coworkers) to be this diligent about label reading. However, I do hope that--after all of the posts I have written--my readers are taking the time (or starting to take the time) to flip over products and scan what is listed on the side. 

At this point, you (should) know how to tell if something contains trans fats and how to calculate the number of sugar packets in a product. I shared the more complicated aspects of label reading with you first. The other components are less confusing: 
1. The serving size is always the first place to look on a label. Why? Because, if you eat more/less than the serving size, everything else on the label changes.
2. Unless you are trying to lose weight, "calories" is probably the last place to look. Why? Well, a calorie is simply a unit of energy. It is not a good or bad thing. Everything else that the food is giving your body (i.e. amount of fat, sodium, cholesterol, fiber, vitamins, sugar) is much more important to your health. We all need calories. So instead of focusing on "how many calories is this", ask "what does this product have to offer".
3. The fat, cholesterol, and sodium should be on the lower side (i.e. as close to 5% of your daily value or below). 
4. The fiber and vitamins should be on the higher side (i.e. as close to 20% of your daily value or above)
5. Fruits and vegetables do not have nutrition facts labels...think about it. 

So, are you one of the many people mindlessly purchasing items in a grocery store? Do you ever read the nutrition facts panel of the foods you buy? And more importantly, do you understand what all the numbers mean?

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