Did you know that the ingredient list on a food label is a valuable resource?
It provides essential information about what goes into the product you're considering. One of the most critical aspects of the ingredient list is the order in which ingredients are listed.
Ingredients are typically listed in descending order of their weight in the product. This means that the ingredient listed first is the most abundant, while the one listed last is the least.
For example, if you're examining a jar of peanut butter, and the first ingredient is "peanuts," you can feel confident that peanuts make up the majority of the product.
Watch Out for Hidden Sugars
Food manufacturers sometimes use several forms of sugar in their products, and these sugars can go by many different names.
To identify added sugars, look for terms like "high fructose corn syrup," "corn syrup," "honey," "agave nectar," "sucrose," and "maple syrup" in the ingredient list. The closer to the top of the list these sugars appear, the more sugar the product contains.
Be careful with unpronounceable Ingredients
The ingredient list can sometimes read like a chemistry experiment, with long and complex names that are challenging to pronounce.
While not all unpronounceable ingredients are harmful, you must be aware of what you're consuming. If you come across an ingredient you can't pronounce, consider doing some research to understand its purpose and potential health effects.
The best practice is to choose products with shorter ingredient lists and familiar, whole-food ingredients.
Look for Allergens
For persons with food allergies or sensitivities, the ingredient list is a look for potential allergens.
Food manufacturers are required to highlight common allergens, such as peanuts, tree nuts, soy, milk, eggs, wheat, fish, and shellfish, either in the ingredient list itself or in a separate "Contains" statement.
Consider the Total Package
The ingredient list is just one part of the food label. To make the healthiest choices, consider the entire nutritional label, which includes information on serving size, calories, macronutrients (such as fat, protein, and carbohydrates), fiber, vitamins, minerals, and daily values.
Next time you go to the grocery and are considering buying a product, pay attention to the order of ingredients, identify hidden sugars, be careful with unpronounceable additives, and check for allergens.
If you don't know where to start, we can help you. At Roybal Food Consulting, we are experts at creating food labels.
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