The New Food Label - What to Look For

The new food label can serve as an important guide to better nutrition, but only if you use it. What should you look for? First of all, nutrient content claims, such as "low calorie," may appear on the front label. These claims will signal - truthfully - if a food is high in a nutrient that most of us need to consume less of. This may be good if you're trying to reduce your intake of calories, fat or cholesterol...or if you're trying to eat more fiber or potassium. Likewise, health claims on some labels will point out a food's nutritional qualities that help reduce the risk of certain longterm diseases, such as heart disease or cancer. The "Nutrition Facts" will give more in-depth information to help you choose foods that fit in with a more healthful diet. Now it's easier thatn ever to eat healthy - just read the label.