How Do You Overcome the Complexities of Nutritional Information On Food Labels?
Navigating the maze of nutritional information on food labels can be daunting. Licensed Nutritionists and Owners share their expertise in this insightful Q&A session. The article opens with advice to focus on serving size and macros and concludes by encouraging readers to look beyond marketing claims, covering a total of four essential insights. Discover how these experts help clients make informed dietary choices.
- Focus on Serving Size and Macros
- Identify Healthy Fats and Sugars
- Understand Ingredient Quality and Source
- Look Beyond Marketing Claims
Focus on Serving Size and Macros
Helping a client understand the nutrition label is critical to their success. I first help them focus on the serving size and then the three macros: protein, carbohydrates, and fat. This way, they can be sure the serving size is within the macros we have set for their daily intake. This is important to understand. After they have successfully used the nutrition labels and gotten a handle on it, I help them understand fiber, added sugar, and net carbs. Using this technique doesn't overwhelm them, and they can easily understand how to figure out if the serving size fits into their daily macro intake again.
Identify Healthy Fats and Sugars
I've helped clients explain food labels by focusing on key nutritional elements that genuinely affect their weight-loss journey. One client was overwhelmed by the myriad of numbers and terms on food packaging, especially regarding fats and sugars. Together, we learned to identify healthy fats like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, ensuring they were included in her meals while avoiding trans fats, as they are linked to weight gain and heart disease.
We also tackled the sneaky sugars hidden in "healthy" labeled foods, like low-fat snacks, which often have added sugars to compensate for taste. The client was particularly surprised to learn that cutting sugars and making small substitutions, like opting for whole foods, led her to shed pounds without feeling deprived. This hands-on approach transformed label reading into an empowering tool rather than a daunting task, giving her the confidence to make informed choices independently.
Understand Ingredient Quality and Source
When helping a client understand the intricacies of nutritional labels, I focused on educating them about the source and quality of ingredients rather than just numbers. At GYAT, I emphasize transparency in our products. For instance, when a client was perplexed by the "natural flavor" listed on various products, we unpacked what it really meant in terms of sourcing and sustainability. This clarity enabled them not only to trust GYAT Gummies but also empowered them to make better choices in other products.
In another situation, one client was concerned about synthetic additives often sprinkled throughout supplement labels. We dove into GYAT's commitment to natural ingredients, particularly highlighting our use of organic berries for flavor instead of artificial enhancers. This not only boosted their confidence in our products but gave them a framework to scrutinize other labels effectively. They learned to prioritize ingredient quality and sourcing, turning a confusing task into a straightforward process.
Look Beyond Marketing Claims
Mastering Nutrition Labels: A Simple Guide to Healthier Eating Choices
By Dr. Peter Brukner OAM, MBBS, FACSP, FACSM, FASMF, FFSEM
Nutritionist, Dietitian, Sports Physician
Fatlotofgood.com.au
"Food labels are a critical tool for making informed dietary choices, but they can often be misleading. It's essential to look beyond marketing claims and focus on the quality of ingredients."
- Dr. Peter Brukner
As a nutritionist with more than 30 years' practice, I have met many clients who find it hard to understand all the information on food labels. One client especially comes to mind; he was a very keen gym-goer and got confused by different claims on packaged foods like "low-fat," "high-protein," or "sugar-free." This makes it difficult for them to select products that really match their health goals.
Understanding Nutritional Labels
Food labels are very important for choosing what to eat wisely. But often they give information that can confuse or trick people, or show details in a way that needs more understanding to get it right. For example, some products say "low-fat," but it still might have many refined carbohydrates or added sugars. These things can be bad for metabolic health. So, I told my client to look at the quality of ingredients instead of believing in marketing words too much.
Simplifying the Process
I told my client to look closely at some important parts: how many total carbohydrates there are, the amount of added sugars, the protein level, and if there are any omega-6 fatty acids that can cause inflammation. By choosing whole foods and those with little processing first, we could make their food choices much better. With time, my client understands better how to read food labels and make smart choices that fit with their low-carbohydrate, whole-foods way of eating.
During this process, I stressed that knowing about nutrition is more than just looking at numbers on a food label; it's also about understanding how food impacts the body's overall well-being.
