What the Recent FDA Nutrition Labels Changes Mean for You

15 Oct What the Recent FDA Nutrition Labels Changes Mean for You

For anyone who has struggled with obesity, making the proper food choices isn’t always easy. And most of the time, it has nothing to do with portion control. If weight loss were that easy, no one would be battling obesity.

Part of the problem with obesity and nutrition is confusion over what’s healthy and what isn’t. More education is definitely something that would help, and so would clearly defined parameters.

Thankfully, the FDA has taken this into consideration. Back in May 2016, the FDA announced they were implementing some new nutritional label guidelines. The goal is to make healthy eating choices easier and more straightforward for the general public.

The Latest FDA Changes – How They Make Food Choices Easier

The latest changes to the nutrition labels on pre-packaged foods were summed up by then-First Lady, Michelle Obama. The Huffington Post reported that she said: “You will no longer need a microscope, a calculator or a degree in nutrition to figure out whether the food you are buying is actually good for our kids.”

Obesity advocates are equally excited about the changes, saying that the old labels made it difficult for people to determine whether they were abiding by U.S. nutritional guidelines.

Here’s what people can expect with the new labels.

1. Larger Fonts and More Clarity

The old nutritional labels used the same font and size for everything. Some categories on the labels were bolded, but the distinction wasn’t always that clear.

New labels make the serving size and calories per serving more prominent. It’s not difficult to see how much a person should consume and how many calories they’ll be ingesting in the process.

2. Carbohydrate and Sugar Breakdown

A lot of people are under the misconception that if you want to lose weight you have to cut out carbohydrates. This is a fallacy. Carbohydrates are necessary for health, just as much as proteins and fats.

When it comes to obesity nutrition, however, it’s important to note the distinction between complex carbohydrates and simple carbohydrates.

Complex carbs are nutrient dense and don’t contain a lot of calories or fat. These include oatmeal, barley, brown rice, millet, and buckwheat.

Simple carbs, on the other hand, are foods made up of bleached flours and have a ton of added sugars, sodium, and fat. These include, pre-packaged cakes, most breads, cookies, and other sweet treats.

The new nutrition labels now have a better carbohydrate breakdown. They list the amount of carbohydrates in the food, as well as how much of the carbs come from fiber, natural sugars, and added sugars.

Foods that are high in added sugars are ones to eat only occasionally, especially for those who are trying to lose weight.

3. The Serving Sizes and Servings per Container Listings Are Realistic

Sometimes, the serving size listed on a package was laughable. How many people are really going to eat ¼ cup of granola for breakfast?

The old standards allowed food companies to make their foods seem more nutritious than they really were. Yes, you would only consume 100 calories and 2 grams of fat per serving. However, the serving size was typically a lot smaller than the average person would eat.

Now, serving sizes are more comparable to what most people actually consume, and the servings per container (as well as the actual nutrition facts) have been adjusted as well.

Obesity and Nutrition: Battling Obesity with Proper Nutrition

A lot of people think that once a person has weight loss surgery, they don’t have to worry about their food choices as much anymore. The surgery will make them eat less and that’s all there is to it.

However, gaining optimal health and losing weight aren’t quite that simple.

Healthful eating is vital for everyone, especially for people who have had weight loss surgery. Eating the wrong types of foods can adversely impact their health and their weight loss results.

For anyone who wants to lose weight and improve their health – nutrition is going to be a key factor. Eating a balanced diet and supplementing that with the necessary vitamins and minerals helps people look good and feel good. With optimal nutrition comes more energy and better sleep. It’s even possible to reduce the effects of stress and boost immunity with a well-balanced diet.

All of that is in addition to the actual weight loss.

So, for anyone who is interested in looking and feeling their best, it’s important to pay attention to food labels. Fortunately, the latest guidelines will help make healthful food choices even easier.

Are you struggling with your weight? Please contact us right away to schedule a consultation. We can help you determine the best course of action to help you lose weight and regain your health.