Stop Buying Things From Stores Without Knowing What They’re Made Of, Here’s Why
Checking the product ingredients before you buy something can help ensure that you’re protecting your body against ingredients that might cause it harm and making informed, healthy decisions
For those with dietary restrictions or allergies, checking the product ingredients label on the back of the package is an everyday occurrence. Ingredients that we may be sensitive to—or that may just flat-out be bad for us—can be hidden under names we’re unfamiliar with or in long lists of obscure ingredients. According to Cecilia Health, knowing how to read and interpret ingredient labels can help you become more aware of what you’re putting in your body and help you make more informed nutritional decisions.
Anyone who’s ever even an entire pint of ice cream in one sitting (and haven’t we all?) knows that the package size and the serving size don’t always make sense. What might look like a single serving may, in fact, be two or three servings and, therefore, you’ll need to double or triple the product ingredients to know exactly how much of those nutrients you’re putting in your body. Many of the quick and easy products we find at the grocery store aren’t very nutritionally dense, so reading the nutrition information can help you make a more informed decision and find something that will keep you satisfied.
The order of the product ingredients on the label also matters quite a bit, as claims on the front of the box may not be reflected in the information on the label. Ingredient labels always list the ingredients in descending order by the weight of the ingredient used, so if a product claims to include lots of vegetables, but the first few ingredients are wheat or potatoes, then that claim might not be entirely true—at least not in terms of volume. Front-of-the-box claims can be misleading; always verify the ingredients—and how much of them are in the product—on the ingredients label.
We all know that processed sugars aren’t the best for us, although they can be fine in moderation, but did you know that sugar is a carbohydrate, and that other carbohydrates function similarly to sugar in the body? For those with diabetes or other sensitivities to sugars and carbohydrates, the carbs count can be equally important or more important that the amount of sugars. For a healthier choice overall, look for product ingredients that are lower in carbohydrates or that have lots of fiber to balance out the carbohydrate load.
Sodium content might not be the first thing you look for in a can of tomato sauce or canned beans, but added sodium in everyday ingredients can really add up and may have adverse effects on your heart health. But you’ll need to check product ingredients for more than just table salt; be on the lookout for hidden sodium sources, as well, like monosodium glutamate (MSG) and trisodium phosphate. Many canned products have low-sodium options; always opt for these, and add additional salt or seasonings for flavor later, if needed.
Checking the product ingredients before you buy something can help ensure that you’re protecting your body against ingredients that might cause it harm and making informed, healthy decisions. Knowing what your body needs and feeding it with food that makes you feel good can make all the difference in your day-to-day health and energy levels. No matter what your health goals are, knowing and checking your product ingredients can help you accomplish them.
