Look, I have to admit I love a good label as much as the next girl. A good brand represents a quality product that should adhere to high standard of style and construction. Even better is when you get a great label for a low price! However, in determining value, it’s up to you as a responsible consumer and RTW to differentiate between high and low quality products. With fashion, it’s easy– we get inundated with information from Vogue, Project Runway, you name it.
What we don’t get educated about to the same degree are food labels, which I think are much more important to your overall wellness. When the labeled item in question is meant to fuel your body rather than adorn it, you’ve got to be even more discriminating in your evaluation. Food and beverage marketing terms like “low-fat” or “diet” don’t actually give you much useful information regarding the product, and often obscure the real value proposition.
Image courtesy of health.gov
Thinking something is good for you just because it’s low-fat is like saying, “Oh, I bought a wrap dress for $50.” To know if $50 is a good deal, you need to know more about the situation. Is it from the knockoff garment district and fraying at the seams? Hm, sounds sketch to me. But a DVF wrap dress on clearance at bloomies? Score! Similarly, if you shop without evaluating the real info on the nutrition label, you might get burned.
Quality nutrition is an investment in your health, no doubt about it. There’s a lot of info out there, but if you just focus on small chunks at a time, you’ll soon be as comfortable in Whole Foods as you are at the Barneys Warehouse Sale. Sooo, let’s talk about how to grocery shop, RTW-style.
What do you look for on the label?
First up: serving size. Most soft drinks, snacks, etc. come in a package that has 2+ servings per container. Be aware that you may accidentally consume twice as many calories if you misread the label.
Next, look at the calories. A 2000-calorie diet is assumed, but that’s accurate for “the average person”. Check out the Mayo Clinic’s calorie calculator to find out your targeted daily caloric needs.
Third, the bad guys– fat, cholesterol, and sodium. Less than 5% of the daily value is not a significant source of that nutrient, while more than 20% is considered high. Don’t forget carbs– oftentimes fat-free or low-fat foods will up the sugar content significantly in order to avoid sacrificing taste.
Now for the good stuff: look at the vitamins and protein. Try and maximize the percentages here to get your recommended daily intake. The best way to get these nutrients, however, is through (usually) non-labeled goods like fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, eggs, and seafood. Discussion to follow! (Part 2: What if there is no label?)
I have to admit, sometimes it takes me a long time to grocery shop since I feel compelled to compare labels and ensure I’m getting the best value for my money. How closely do you read labels in the supermarket?
