Reading food labels can help you make wise food choices. It is important to understand how to read food labels. Here's what to look for when comparing food labels:
Nutrition fact labels give grams of total carbohydrate, fat and protein. A low fat food is defined as containing 3 grams of fat or less per serving.
Pay attention to serving sizes. The serving sizes listed on food labels may be different from the serving size in your meal plan. If you consume a portion size different than the one indicated you will need to calculate the actual amount of nutrients consumed.
Look at total carbohydrates, not just sugar. Evaluate the grams of total carbohydrates which include sugar, complex carbohydrate and fiber rather than only the grams of sugar.
Be careful choosing food based on these claims. Low-sugar items may be high in fat. Low-fat products may be high in sugar, and low-fat and low-sugar foods may not be lower in calories.
Special dietetic foods are expensive and are generally not needed by a person with diabetes. Paying attention to your food labels and seeking out low sugar, low carbohydrate foods can help you manage your diabetes.
