Check out my progress on Label Literacy
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association suggests that “label literacy” is astonishingly low in this country—that is, many Americans don’t regularly read nutrition labels on the foods they eat.
The study was conducted among 200 grocery shoppers in Minnesota via questionnaire and eye-tracking. The data indicated the following:
- One-third of the participants reported that they typically read food labels for Calorie content.
- One-third of the participants reported that they typically read food labels for fat content.
- 20% reported that they typically read food labels for trans fat content.
- 24% reported that they typically read food labels for sugar content.
- 26% reported that they read food labels for serving sizes.
Here’s the kicker: eye-tracking data revealed that a mere 9% actually looked at Calorie content on 80% of items.
Crikey. It seems that the need for a nutrition label makeover is even more urgent than I thought!
Do you read nutrition labels on packaged foods? Which components are most important to you? I most often scan labels for ingredients first, then look at serving size, Calories, fiber, and protein.
You don’t have to do much label reading, however, if your diet is based on fresh fruits and veggies! Let’s see how I reached my fresh produce quota today.
Banana-bloob oats were the focus of the breakfast menu.
Lunch was a grilled cheese and veggie soup combo…served on my favorite “Happy Birthday Jesus” plate.
Tonight’s meal featured a unique pizza, topped with roasted veggies and creamy, dream goat cheese.
Alright, I need to finish some Christmas shopping. Good night!
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
I look at the ingredients before I buy ANYTHING. Definitely the most important factor when grocery shopping.
I love the plate! Haha
I always read nutrition info — unless it’s a product I buy a lot.
I will definitely think twice if there are any ingredients I cannot pronounce/don’t know what they are. I won’t buy anything with trans fats. And if the calorie content comes secondarily, to be honest. Usually it’s not a big deal, but every occasionally I see something totally out of whack and am like, NO WAY!
I’m a college student, and daughter of a food-procurement manager and former chef. Considering these factors, I’m a 1) price, 2) ingredients, 3) calories & other nutrition info. Of course trying to get the most bang for my buck, but when I feel there are significant differences between products I usually pay a little more for a little more value
I really appreciated the list from yesterday (had no idea about the potato thing!). Today’s on the nutrition label was a nice follow-up
I always look at the ingredients list before I buy anything- being vegan it’s become habit to do so. And I check the nutrition facts as well, more often than not.
Your pizza looks delicious!
i often check the sugar content in what i buy (if its not a natural product) and also the extras like if its made of lots of preservatives, includes E numbers etc. but like u said if a diet is based on natural ingredients like fruit and veggies then u dont need to worry about the labels anyways. love your pizza! what interesting flavours!
It surprises me that only 9% of people look at the ingredient label, though I feel more people do now than a few years ago. I ALWAYS look at the ingredient label on anything I buy. Some companies try to sneak in things that shouldn’t be there. I was buying canned beans the other day and found one brand had HFCS in it! yikes!
I always look at ingredients first and foremost. Then I look at protein, calories, fat, sugar, and serving size (but not necessarily in that order; it depends on what it is).