In recent years, people have begun to recognise the value of incorporating a dairy and/or gluten-free diet for a healthier and better life, especially those that are sensitive to such ingredients. Others, particularly those who are dieting, may Of course, if you are going down this path it’s important that you understand what kinds of food you can eat and that you should avoid.
The ability to read and understand nutrition labels that are found on many foods is therefore very important. This article goes through a few of the considerations you need to make and things you need to remember that you may have overlooked.
Organic Doesn’t Necessarily Means Healthy
Possibly as a result of clever marketing, many of us tend to associate these terms with healthy foods, without considering the fact that there is really no intrinsic connection between the two. Gluten-free foods can still be fattening or unhealthy, they are simply free of the gluten protein that causes some people health problems. In much the same way, there are plenty of organically grown products out there that aren’t necessarily suitable for someone that is trying to eat healthy.
The same goes for claims such as ‘no added-sugar’, which is often found on the label of many foods that are already naturally high in sugar, and should be avoided if you’re dieting.
Understand Your Food & Fiber
Natural fiber is important for two reasons; first of all, it can reduce risk of high cholesterol and various diseases, and second, it can help make you feel full for longer, meaning you’ll eat less throughout the day if you’re on a diet.
Bread, pasta and other carbohydrates that you’re eating should have around 3-4g of fibre per serving. Avoid added-fibre products if you can.
There’s Fat And Then There’s Fat
When reading food labels, keep in mind that fat comes in a number of different forms, with some being worse than others. Trans fats and saturated fats should be avoided for a healthy diet. Check the fat content - if it’s mainly coming from unsaturated fat it’s probably okay.
Trans fat and hydrogenated oils are what you really want to steer clear of, as they’ve been shown to contribute to bad cholesterol, which can be a real health concern down the line.
Try To Avoid Too Much Sodium
Sodium, which is found in high amounts in packaged and highly processed food, is something you want to watch out for. Too much has been shown to contribute to heart disease and a higher blood pressure. When it comes to sodium, you don’t want to exceed around 2,300mg per day no matter who you are, so if a single serving exceeds more than a third of this, it’s probably a good idea to avoid it.
Be Aware Of Your Recommended Daily Intake
Labels can be misleading as they may list ingredients and nutrients as a percentage of your daily recommended intake. Of course, the numbers should not always be trusted as they are usually relevant to the ‘average adult’ for example, when everyone’s particular needs are actually quite different.
If you’re serious about adopting a healthy diet, there are helpful guides for recommended number of serves for adults that can give you a good idea of which kinds of foods and how much of these foods you should be eating according to your age and gender.
You’ll be pleased to here that if you are gluten or dairy intolerant, Pud For All Season’s offers a range of puddings and other delicious products that you can enjoy. While our products are healthy, it always pays to read the label and make sure you’re not overdoing it. It’s always important to have a balanced diet, so moderation is the key!
