Looking at one of the recent “7 Nutrition Trends of 2010” we can see that the simpler things in life are
quickly becoming popular in a big way. With a populace turning away from ingredient lists that would
make a chemist blush, and looking for simpler, less obtrusive packaging, we can expect meals to look
more natural and healthier for those eating them.

So how do you find simpler foods? It’s all in the food label. Knowing how to properly read a food label is
a key ingredient in making good food choices, and understanding just what choices you’re making.

Things like serving sizes and servings per container can be awfully surprising when you take a closer
look. Just how many servings are you drinking when you drink that 20 oz bottle of soda? That’s right,
you’ve just doubled every number on that food label, and that’s not a good thing. Knowing your servings
is a big deal.

Listing all the nutrients (or sometimes lack thereof) is helpful, but keep in mind that percentages come
in big here. All the numbers are based on a 2000 calorie diet, so you might have to alter those numbers
if your diet is slightly different than that.

The ingredients list can be one of the most intimidating factors on the food label. Trying to stay away
from added sugars and sodium is hard when you can’t possibly memorize all of the different types there
are.

Grabbing a handout that covers food label basics can go a long way towards finding simplicity in your
diet. If it looks anything like our “Breaking Down the Food Label” handout, then it’ll probably help out a
lot. Get a closer look here! http://www.ncescatalog.com/shopexd.asp?id=536&bc=no