The science of nutrition has truly lifted to a new level in recent decades. And, with the marketing side of food now so sophisticated, you almost need a pocket cheat sheet to understand what a product says is inside it.
When you enter the supermarket, you need to be on guard against preservatives, added fat, colorings, calories, false advertising, and sophisticated but misleading labels. A new study published in the “Journal of Consumer Affairs” suggests that carefully reading food levels could directly help you shed pounds and stay healthy — particularly women in their middle years.
Researchers focused on whether consumers read food labels the first time they buy a product. They found that shoppers who read labels and do not exercise actually have a slightly better greater likelihood of shedding pounds than people who exercise but don’t read food labels. That alone is a stunning finding.
Then, they also found that by simply adding an exercise routine to their lifestyle, regular food label readers could drop pounds. Women between the ages of 37 and 50 years are more likely to read food labels than men, and are therefore more likely to lose weight.
The data for this study were taken from a national survey that began in 1979, with over 12,000 men and women born in the years 1957-1964.
Over half of all participants reported that they were trying to manage weight, or lose some. Of these participants, almost 70% were obese or overweight. Nearly 50% were actively reading food labels on their first-time purchases, while about 25% were engaged in regular exercise.
Those who make a habit of reading food labels are putting themselves in a position where they can put what they want in their bodies and cut down on the negative ingredients.
Starting in 1994, all food manufactures were required to present essential nutrient and ingredient information on packages. Now, a new bill has allowed easier access to nutritional information at restaurants and even vending machines. This means it is becoming more and more beneficial to read food levels, make good dietary decisions, and fight the battle of the bulge and all the diseases linked to obesity.
Unlike books, you can judge a food by its cover. Read carefully. Your health depends on it.
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