Food manufactures spend huge amounts on designing messages that influence our perception about the nutritional value of food to entice us to choose their products. Don’t be fooled!!!!
By law claims on food packaging can’t promise to cause weight loss or treat a health issue but it can imply a health benefit, and this can be the grey area that catches us out – Buyer beware!!
While some ingredients may be healthy the overall nutritional value may not equal our perception.
Here are a few to consider when making your choices.
No added sugar
Sugar free means there is less than 0.5g of sugar per 100gNo added sugar only refers to sugars added during the processing not naturally occurring sugar,such as fructose in fruit.A no added sugar multifruit smoothie for example could potentially contain more than a can of fizzy drink!
Low/Lighter
To claim to be light a food must have 30% less fat or sugar than a range of similar products.As lower fat content can diminish flavour manufactures may add more sugar to compensate!
Naturally Fruit Flavoured
You would think that it contains fresh fruit juice and is low in calories however it may be fruit concentrate with added sugar.
100% Natural
Made with entirely natural ingredients and no additives however it may contain additives and processed ingredients.
HighFibre
You may assume that high in fibre food will supply all your fibre needs (30g) however labels can say this if there is 6g of fibre per 100g!
Natural/Organic
Organic relates only to production methods, not nutritional value.Natural or made from natural ingredients only shows that the food is made with ingredients produced by nature, which is a grey area.
Traditional or farmhouse
With images of farms and fresh whole ingredients these terms evoke an idea of small-scale production and imply higher quality.The product may be industrially processed and contain additives and highly refined ingredients.
Food package claims that can be helpful
- Calorie free – Less than 5 calories
- Fat free or Sugar free – less than half gram of fat or sugar
- Good source of – provides at least 10% of the daily value of a particular vitamin or nutrient.
- High in – provides 20%or more of the daily value of a specified nutrient.
- Low calorie – less than 40 calories
- Low cholesterol – less than 20 milligrams of cholesterol
- Low sodium – less than 140 milligrams of sodium
- Reduced – Less than 25% of the specified nutrient or calories than the usual product.
- Gluten free no gluten or free or without gluten – less than 20 parts per million of gluten
