TIPS FOR READING FOOD LABELS

Nutritional information

Food labels allow us to know the composition and nutritional qualities of these, but do we really know how to read these labels?

First of all, make it clear that we are talking about processed foods, that is, foods that have undergone some type of industrial processing and it is possible that some type of component or additive has been added. Natural foods are those that do not have any industrial treatment or any component has been added.

Where do we look for the information?

We must look for the label on the side or bottom of the product. This label must include the list of ingredients and nutritional information.

Next, we give you a series of tips so that you choose the food you are looking for or need.

1. Number of ingredients : As a general rule, the fewer ingredients or components a certain processed food has, the more recommendable it will be (with exceptions ). Go for natural foods whenever possible .
2. Order of ingredients : The order in which the ingredients appear is from highest to lowest. The first being the ingredient that contains the greatest amount present in the food. Special care with those foods that have added sugars, you can see how the sugar appears first or second.
3. Ingredient type: It is important to know what type of ingredient has been added. For example, the type of oil it contains.
4. Nutritional information: All foods should include the total energy value and the amounts of fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugar, protein, salt and fiber. We must make an effort to know what natural foods contain, to know how to discern the amount of ingredients that have been added in their processed form and thus know how to choose whether that particular food is healthy or not.