Nutrition Facts on Packages:
Nutrition facts on pre-packaged boxes are always important to look at when you buy. You may be buying something you don't even know what in it! Learn how to read a proper nutrition label and pick out some key features so you know what will be inside your belly.
Serving Size: Serving size is at the top because it is what you need to look at first when reading through the nutrition facts. This applies to one serving. The example above shows that one serving of cheese which is one slice pertains to the nutritional value. There is more slices than just one so if you have two you have to double everything? I guess cutting cheese out really does stink...wah wah...
Percent of Daily Value: This basically means that a typical human being should consume around 2,000. Now, this isn't everyone, it depends on how active you are, your height, weight, if you are trying to lose, maintain, or gain weight. The percent daily values which is highlighted in orange, is based on a 2,000 calorie diet. If you are trying to cut something out (like sodium) opt for less than 5%. If you are wanting more of something (like fiber) opt for more than 20%. Click on this link to see what number of calories you should consume a day. How many calories should I consume?
Fat: Fat is very important, you can use it to your advantage or use it against you. The more mono saturated fats the better. Now you want to conserve this column for only the good fats. If is says Trans Fats and has a number next to it, probably want to stick away from those-- they cause weight gain and lead to many diseases.
Sodium: Iodine or salt is one of those hidden ingredients that if you don't be careful you are consuming too much! Many restaurants have hidden sodium, because it tastes better. There are other ways for it to taste better, it is just that the salt is the cheaper way. The recommended amount of salt in our diet is 2,300 milligrams. Too much sodium can cause blood pressure. Look for 140 milligrams plus or minus. This is typically low in sodium and causes better health in the long run!
Dietary Fiber: The average adult who consumes around 2,000 calories a day *remember the % Daily Value, should consumer around 21-35 grams of fiber a day! Most people do not consume this much fiber. Fiber is in a variety of things such as breads and cereals, but is also in lots of fruits and vegetables! Having enough fiber will make your stomach feel full and you let's just say you will be happy to go to the bathroom :)
Sugars: Oh we all love this category so much! It is what makes life worth living! Be cautious of these nasty boogers. They are delicious but are not good for you, I am sorry.. Simple sugars include glucose, fructose, dextrose, galactose basically anything ending in a rose, tose, cose. These sugars add up over time and eventually you will gain weight and they consist of no nutritional value. It's often added to foods to add flavor, think salad dressings. The good thing is they do make you happy :)
If you have questions post a comment and I will try to get back to you. Thanks for reading!
Chocolate is reformulated to be better for you!
Okay so I read this article and found it really interesting! It's about Chocolate So listen up ladies! I love chocolate and that is my biggest weakness... I can't help myself to a little here and a little there and some more over there and some more sounds like smore's. Oh just read the article!
Researchers in the UK have managed to cut the amount of fat needed to make chocolate in half, without losing ANY of the dessert's delectable-ness. The new chocolate formula contains small droplets of fruit juice, explains lead study author Dr. Stefan Bon. These droplets can replace up to 50% of the triglyceride fats found in cocoa, butter, and milk, similar to the way air bubbles reduce the density of Aero chocolate bars. Apparently the optimal size for these bubbles is less than 30 micrometers--allowing the fat to be replaced without losing the proper chemical structure.
"It's the fat that gives chocolate all the indulgent sensations that people crave--that silky texture and the way it melts in the mouth but still has a 'snap' to when you break it with your hand." (Oh my, my mouth is watering right now just reading about this.) Bon said in a PR, "We've found a way to maintain all of those things that make chocolate 'chocolatey', but with fruit juice instead of fat." Bon and his chemistry colleagues at the University of Warwick used a process called Pickering emulsion to infuse orange juice, cranberry juice, and de-carbonated soft drinks into milk, dark, and white chocolate."
Okay so now we can eat more chocolate is what this Dr. Stefan Bon guy is telling us right? ;). Oh I love love love this!
For more information check out the source by clicking here
