Leaning Out with Labels

Last time I wrote about the importance of using a grocery list to help you avoid the temptation for less than nutritious foods while grocery shopping. Today, I want to mention the importance of using a simple tool like foods labels to help you make informed decisions on what your product actually contains.

Free:

Generally means that the food contains no (or negligible amounts of) fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, sugar or calories

Lean and extra lean:

This is a term used to describe an item that has limits on the fat content of certain meats, poultry, seafood and game meats

Light:

Marketing that uses the term "light" or "lite" mean that the products' calories have been reduced by at least a third or the fat by at least half from original product

Percent fat free:

This is easily the most confusing term of the lot. Describes the percentage of a food's weight that is fat free; now this term may ONLY be used on foods that are lowfat or fat free to begin with

Regardless of what you choose to put into your grocery cart, take some time to familiarize yourself with these terms and perhaps you will be able to improve your success rate for weight loss and healthy nutrition.

As always – Live Your Life Well,

John Aaron Villarreal
johnaaron-massage.com

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cure, treat or prevent disease. Please consult your physician

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