Nutrition Tip August 21 2010
Reading Labels
Within the “Total Carbohydrate” section of a nutrition label, you’ll find Total Carbohydrates, Dietary Fiber (sometimes further defined as soluble & insoluble), and Sugars. Pay attention to the total fiber per serving (no need to log soluble vs. insoluble) – your goal is 30+ per day. Of note, when you subtract the total fiber and sugar from the Total Carbohydrates, the difference is the grams of starch.
You can choose between whole grain products and ones with refined grains by looking at the ingredients list. Usually, whole grains will be list as whole, such as “Whole Wheat Flour.” Many times, refined grains will be listed as “Enriched Flour” or “Unbleached Flour.”
Don’t get caught up in the “Grams of Whole Grains” on some packages, you are counting Fiber Grams, NOT Whole Grain Grams.
c/o Kelli Jennings www.apexnutritionllc.com
It may also help to remind shoppers not to be caught by bread manufacturers who appear to be borderline misleading consumers by coloring their bread more brown that white, and calling it “wheat bread” or something similar, on products where whole grains play no part on the ingredient label. They’re making the breads APPEAR heartier or healthier, but if they don’t have whole grain flour listed, you might as well be eating the pure white stuff that comes in square loaves.