Food Facts
Losing Body Fat
Inspecting every food label can be time consuming. Another problem is that these food fact labels don't tell you much at all.
For example, people with severe allergies are advised to not eat processed or prepared foods. Why? Although recent legislation required that processed and prepared foods must list known allergens, this list is not as comprehensive as it should be. In other words, that food may contain an allergen that will make you sick. As for additives, the food fact label does include these, but who knows what all those chemicals are or what they do?
If you really want to get a handle on a healthy diet, you need to become more familiar with the foods you consume regularly. What's the nutritional value of a potato? Mushrooms? Fish? Is one variety better than another? What does potassium do for your health? There's one simple way to find out. Get your hands on a good food facts reference book.
There are many good books, written by nutritionists and nutrition researchers. You'll find various formats and presentations. Choose one that is organized in a manner that's easy for you to use. Almost all such food fact reference books are written in layman's language – you don't have to be a scientist to understand the information.
You're best off getting the newest publications on food, especially if you're interested in the latest research findings on various foods.
In addition to giving a complete rundown on the nutritional content, these books explain the health benefits of each food. Did you know that mushrooms are a rich source of selenium, a trace mineral in which many older people are deficient in?
Some of these books also include information on certain herbs and spices which have medicinal benefits as well. For example, turmeric, a main component of curry mixtures, is of great benefit to the digestive system and may also help lower blood sugar. Rosemary and cayenne have terrific benefits to your cardiovascular system.
On top of all of this useful information, food fact references provide information on selecting, cooking and storing foods, along with tips on retaining nutrients when you're preparing these foods.
If you really want to know what you're eating, it's recommended that you also get a food additives reference book to gain more knowledge. These books list most, if not all, of the additives used in processed and prepared foods, with a brief description of their known effects.
Knowing your food facts is not as easy as just reading the food labels. Your health will benefit from your education in what you are eating.
If you have a medical condition with dietary restrictions, you probably check the food label for the amount of sodium, or carbohydrates and more. Even if you're perfectly healthy, you may think that you'll stay that way by reading the food labels.
