5 Mistakes Even Savvy Shoppers Make (Food Label)

Food label...
As we understand about this words is that food label is the label of food?(hahaha)
Or in Bahasa Melayu "Label Makanan"?
Okay...
I don't know what exactly it means...
I only know that it was label of the food...
The one that written the food nutrition, ingredients, information, etc...
Many of us doesn't really check what is written at the food label every time we shop our groceries..
Some may check it, but only the 'obvious' label like '0% of calorie', 'fat free', 'extra 25% inside', etc...
Now I want to share something about the article I found when I surfing the Yahoo! web...
Okay,
Lets start!


1. “All natural” and “organic” is more nutritious
The USDA organic certification program requires foods and beverages that are labeled organic to follow organic protocols with production. The program does not have any requirements related to the nutrition of the product. The term “natural” or “all natural” has no definition, so manufacturers can use it as they wish. There is no indication that a food product is nutritious just because these terms are on the package. Check the calories per serving and the first three ingredients. If the product seems within your calorie budget and the first three ingredients seem healthful, then buy it.


2. Percent Daily Value is for foods high in nutrients
Many shoppers scrutinize the % Daily Value figures for things like vitamin C and E, but nutrient deficiencies are not an issue for most Americans. Instead, focus your attention on core areas that can really make a difference in your health: negative nutrients. Read the label for calories, saturated fat, sugars, and sodium and try to choose products that minimize these negative nutrients.


3. That’s a single serving!!
If you purchase a food that appears to be a single serving, be sure to check the Nutrition Facts Label to see how many servings the manufacturer says the package contains. People in the study who reviewed the product’s serving size before purchasing consumed 150 fewer calories per day compared to those who didn’t read the labels. That could add up to a 15-pound weight loss in one year.


4. “Made with whole grain” means it’s primarily whole grain
Not the case. Many companies claim that their products are made with whole grains, but the main grain is often refined flour. To ensure that you’re buying a product that contains a significant amount of whole grain, choose one that has whole wheat, oats, or another whole grain as the first ingredient.


5. “No HFCS” indicates it’s low in sugar
A sweet mess many shoppers find themselves in is when they avoid products that have HFCS, only to choose those loaded with other negative nutrients like saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. The jury is still out on whether or not HFCS is worse than other added sugars, but a diet rich in any type of added sugar is not healthy. So look for the added sugar in a product, and if it’s more than 10 to 12 grams per serving, make it a special-occasion food or beverage.




*all these information are copied from Food label know-how: 5 mistakes even savvy shopper make*