Reading food labels may seem unnessary to someone who is unconcerned about packing on extra pounds, but to the yo yo dieters, calorie counters, and health fanatics who understand a thing or two about serving sizes, the label read is a must.  Reading the label can save you big time calories.  Eating extra servings can lead to an extra 5-10 lb. weight gain annually.  Take it from someone who knows.  Personal experience is the best teacher, and after losing about 80 pounds (three pants sizes) you can trust that I've been there and done that.  Watch the video below for some effective tips on serving sizes, nutrition labels, and daily values.

 








How to Understand Nutrition Facts Labels
 

 
One thing that bothers me is that we live in a supersized society. For example, the average 10-12 oz bag of chips contains 2-3 servings, and that is way to much for a single sit down for lunch. Some of the things that helped me to take off those extra pounds are
  • reading the label
  • eating smaller portions
  • using a food jar
  • eating more fruits and veggies
  • variety at mealtime
  • changing mealtime routine
  • eating snacks in moderation
  • eating only one serving
 Even though, I always like to know what the food label says, I never knew there was a rule used to describe daily values. It is called the Five Twenty Rule, and it works like this. Vitamins and minerals in foods should have a DV (daily value) of at least 5% or more, and DV for unhealthy contents like sodium and fat should be less than 5% to promote a diet that is healthy.  Keep in mind, aiming for 20% or more when it comes to nutrients is best.  Remember to make reading nutritoin labels a regular habit, so you can control your caloric intake while making healthier choices.