Every product has a nutrition facts label that gives you insights into what the product contains, so you can make informed choices when you buy groceries. These labels were instituted several decades ago and until recently there’s not been much change in the facts that have to be on a label.
According to a statement on the FDA website, this is changing. They’ve taken queries and comments from the public into account, as well as the latest nutrition research.
The most significant change is that you can now see how much sugar has been added to a product. Recent nutrition research has revealed the significant role sugar plays in obesity and related health issues.
“Two-thirds of the US population is either overweight or obese. Obesity is one of the major drivers of preventable diseases and health care costs. In the US, current estimates for these costs range from $147 to $210 billion per year. Obesity is a multifactorial disease: genetics, lifestyle choices, metabolism, and diet. Although the calories from fat in people’s diets have gone down, obesity rates keep climbing. Evidence suggests that diets high in added sugar promote the development of obesity.” Source: The Dose Makes the Poison: Sugar and Obesity in the United States.
While this is a step in the right direction, there is still a need for caution. The definition of added sugars excludes fruit or vegetable juice concentrated from 100 percent fruit juice (e.g. frozen 100 percent fruit juice concentrate) as well as some sugars found in fruit and vegetable juices, jellies, jams, preserves, and fruit spreads. And although they are still “added sugars,” pure honey and maple syrup have different labeling requirements from other added sugars.
The best way to limit your intake of added sugars is to avoid anything with sugar in it.
Your Nutrition Response Testing Practitioners can help you discover the perfect, clinically designed diet that’s exactly right for your body’s needs. And once you have that diet, Nutrition Coaching can help you stay on the right path and achieve your health goals.
