Labels! Do you read them?
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I am curious to see what type of information is important to you when reading labels. Twice this weekend I was told at different stores a version of the following: "Why are you looking in the back?! You shouldn't look at the calories, just eat it! or You look to skinny and need to eat something so you shouldn't worry if it is bad for you" . This has happened in the past too. I then explained my reason for reading labels and all I get is a blank stare. Here are my reasons for reading labels:
1) Ingredients: I like natural and preferably organic products so I scan the list of ingredients to see if there is anything I don't like.
2) Quality of carbs and fats. I am not afraid of either carbs or fats but I want to make sure they are the good quality type (whole grains, omega 3, etc)
3) Carb to protein ratio.
I read the more now..more for serving size.
Now is your turn, why do you read them. If you don't, why not? Thanks0 -
In addition to a lot of the reasons everyone listed here, I first got into reading labels (before I started watching what I eat) because I am a vegetarian.0
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Yep I read labels.... Always have and always will! However what I look at more has changed considerably! I look at ingredients, fat, calories, carbs and protuen! Recently added sodium to my label scan!! I want to know what is going in my body and what I'm feeding my family! Too many processed foods with crap nowadays!!0
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Calories, serving size, and as time goes on, I'm becoming more interested in the sugar content. I'm also finding I much prefer sugar - and will sometimes put a food back if it's got high fructose syrup or whatever in there.0
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I look for low calories, low sugar, low fat, and ingredients that I can recognise as food
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Nothing worse than a "meal for one" have 1.5-2 servings in it.
That pisses me off!!! :explode:0 -
yes I do. The first two things I look at are calories and protein.0
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I read them obsessively, but I'm allergic to onions so I have to.0
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What does being thin have to do with it? People are ridculous and should mind their own damn business.
When people look at me, they think I am reading the labels because I am looking at the calories and don't want to eat much. When I say, I don't care about the calories but the ingredient list sometimes I get the "It might not be good for you but is delicious" It never happens at places like whole foods or other natural grocers.
I usually tell nosy people I have an "allergy" and to mind their own damn business. But really I'm checking for healthy ingredients. People are so judgmental0 -
Always, calories, sodium, sugar, cholesterol. I avoid anything with high fructose corn syrup and overprocessed junk0
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What does being thin have to do with it? People are ridculous and should mind their own damn business.
When people look at me, they think I am reading the labels because I am looking at the calories and don't want to eat much. When I say, I don't care about the calories but the ingredient list sometimes I get the "It might not be good for you but is delicious" It never happens at places like whole foods or other natural grocers.
I'm not skinny, but I still get the "It might not be good for you, but it sure tastes good!" Why do people act like you can only expect healthy OR tasty. There is a huge difference between places with more healthy food and places without. At least Whole Foods and the lot are going for both healthy and tasty.0 -
I read the labels as often as I remember.
I look for:
-calories (especially from fat)
-fat
-protein
-sugar
-sodium
Those are probably the ones I'd look at on any given day, I'll check the ingredients if it's something I've not eaten before.0 -
Yes I read all labels because my daughter is allergic to dairy. However I mostly buy the same stuff each week so don't really have to do it so much now.0
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Reading labels is a MUST!
I check all the normal stuff paying particular attention to sugar, sodium and protein and allergen listing. I find so many people stopped in the aisles these days reading packages - I LOVE THIS!
I wish the FDA would stand behind listing ALL SPICES individually instead of just SPICES
oh and another pet peeve of mine is ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS - ha what does this mean ? They can't list them?0 -
Yep. I look for serving size and calories per serving.
That's it.0 -
I do, but mainly I am looking for calories. I also glance at the sugar, sodium, and protein content (I am for higher protein and I want to make sure the sugar and sodium isn't too crazy on something). I try to stick to fresher food though (basics like meat + veggies + carb/starch) and less pre-packaged. With the exception of certain things like my favorite flavored coffee creamer (I refuse to give up my Cinnabon coffee creamer! lol!)0
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Always! I look to see what goes into what I'm about to consume to ensure:
1. The ingredients are not written out as chemical compounds
2. I can pronounce everything on the list
3. I know what everything on the list is
4. The food is as natural as possible
5. How much a serving is. I'm sure the guy (or girl) who created the 1/2 cup serving size on ice cream meant it as a joke, but...0 -
I'm pretty sure everyone in here reads labels or we wouldn't know what we're eating.
this.
Calories and fat content....
Plus I've had really bad physical reactions to aspartame, so I have to make sure I'm not actually consuming any by mistake in any so called "healthy" foods.
Plus I am sort of looking for things that contain real sugar again instead of corn syrup.
It's impossible to avoid corn syrup as its in everything, but lately I am seeing more products go back to sugar now and if i have a choice I'll buy that instead.0 -
Yes I read all labels because my daughter is allergic to dairy. However I mostly buy the same stuff each week so don't really have to do it so much now.
Just a thought as manufacturers change their ingredients & manufacturing processes on a regular basis: even if it's food you are accustomed to getting, ALWAYS read labels. There were foods I could eat on occasion if I wanted a "treat" and thanx to reading every label of everything I buy, I discovered that the manufacturer suddenly listed "made in a facility that also processes..." and listed a bunch of allergens, or my favorite label "does not contain gluten ingredients" as opposed to "gluten free" or "manufactured in a gluten free facility": if it doesn't contain the ingredients why not list as "gluten free"? Because it is no longer GF!
I actually read the labels on packaged lettuce to ensure no surprises (as I've seen those before, too) and frozen veggies (if I need emergency food) as Walmart frozen veggies will have 2 labels: one says "___ is a gluten free food" and then the label "made in a facility that also process ____ "! For those with allergies or even intolerances, reading labels every time is a MUST in our family!0 -
Always! I look at fiber too. I lost 55lbs just by eating a ton of fiber. Now I'm doing "clean eating" to lose the last 10...0
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Just gotta say to sun33082.... WOW, what an inspiration you are!0
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Always! I look at fiber too. I lost 55lbs just by eating a ton of fiber. Now I'm doing "clean eating" to lose the last 10...
You didn't count calories?0 -
I look at both the nutritional label and the ingredients. Personally, I look at the ingredients first to make sure the product is made out of the stuff I think it is. If there is anything I know is bad, I usually put it back. If I don't know what something is, I also put it back or google it on my phone real quick. I find with most products, I can find at least once that fits my expectations.
I then check the nutritional label. Not going to lie, I do check the calories first, but that's usually because I want to know how it will fit into my diet. I also check protein, fiber, fats and sugar. Sometimes, I accept a bad number for a good one. If the product has a bit more sugar than I prefer, but a lot of fiber, I might still buy it.
it's a balancing act., but I'm getting faster.0 -
At least for me, labels are fun to read and i love it when Im with someone and they ask me about it cause than you pass on the knowledge of what goes into your system which so little people know of0
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Very few things that we buy have a label. The things we do buy that have a label we know what ingredients are in them, so I no longer have to be a label reader.0
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You are right about being able to pass along knowledge, but most people don't seem to care what the labels say...........otherwise companies such as Kraft, Kelloggs, General Mills and the like would be such huge conglomerate companies.At least for me, labels are fun to read and i love it when Im with someone and they ask me about it cause than you pass on the knowledge of what goes into your system which so little people know of0
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