The ingredient list on the food label is a great way to know what you are actually eating. If a food item contains more than one ingredient it has to be listed on the label. There are a few simple things to keep in mind when trying to evaluate the ingredients in food products:
- Ingredients are listed by quantity from highest to lowest. The ingredients that appear at the beginning of the list are found in the highest amounts.
- Quickly scan the first 3 ingredients to get a good idea about the type of food product you are buying. If you see that the first 3 ingredients contain refined grains, sugar, or hydrogenated oils, look for another option that is less processed.
Sugar can be called different things in the ingredient list. Other common names for sugar include corn syrup or high-fructose corn syrup, agave nectar, barley malt syrup or even dehydrated cane juice.
- If the ingredient list is more than 2 or 3 lines and/or contains words that you can’t pronounce…skip it!Â
Focus on making whole foods the focus of your healthy diet and lifestyle. You don’t have to worry about ingredient lists when you purchase whole food items like fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans because they don’t contain multiple ingredients. If you do buy processed food items, check the ingredient list to make sure that the ingredients are in line with your health goals.
Its extremely helpful to have an app on your phone to help you tell whats good and bad to eat. I personally use the "Yuka" app and you wouldn't believe the products I thought were "organic" that had highly poisoning chemicals in it like RED 30 & Red 33.
If the ingredient is a word you CAN'T pronounce, stay away from it.
ALWAYSÂ RESEARCH THE INGREDIENTS!!Â
What you put into your body, could be leading you to health, or leading you to sickness.