FDA changing food labels, easier to make better choices

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration is stepping up its effort in the fight of Obesity by changing the food labels on food and beverages.  The new tactic will place more emphasis on serving size, added sugar, vitamins and calories per serving

“You as a parent and a consumer should be able to walk into your local grocery store, pick up an item off the shelf, and be able to tell whether it’s good for your family,” first lady Michelle Obama said in a press release. “So this is a big deal, and it’s going to make a big difference for families all across this country.”

The American Heart associations recommends 150 kcals of sugar of or 9 teaspoons daily, for women it’s 100 kcals or 6 teaspoons of sugar a day.  The chemical sugar they add to products is the same but now the focus will be on how much sugar is added.  Americans are getting way more sugar than they need and hardly realize what total amount they do get.

Fat labeling is also being slimmed down by taking away “calories from Fat” and utilizing the breakdown of good fats and bad fats on the label.  Food companies will also be responsible to label how much of vitamins and minerals like Vit D (for bone health), are in their product along with the FDA adding another 25 categories that weren’t around 20 years ago.

I’m excited for the new change, especially here in KY, anything that will help people understand what they consume and inform them on what the better choices are will only lead to better education and self-improvement.  We need that in KENTUCKY!!

Junk food, health food what’s the difference

If you look at these two nutrition labels and break down what they are you may be surprised

One of these foods is considered “healthy” and good for you and the other is touted by many as a “junk food”

Break down the labels they are comparable in total calories but one has more fiber, less sugar, less cholesterol, less saturated fat

If you were to think that it’s a better choice because of those qualifications alone you may be missing the big picture – you don’t know what you are really eating unless you look at the label