Nutrient Listing, Beverages, Tips For Dieting And Diabetics: Friend Or Foe?
They Are Both Your Friend And Foe!
We look at nutrient statements for lots of different considerations. Whatever your reason, you need to know how to use this information more effectively and wisely. When it comes to beverage labels, we’re drinking more calories than ever, so it’s even wiser for us to understand not only the familiar elements- calories, carbs and fats, but also knowing about the flavor descriptors for the beverage you choose.
A drinks flavor description is a sign to what is in the beverage. Not all descriptors are OK by the FDA, so now you have to live with fantasy descriptions such as pure flavoring and all natural flavors along with descriptions that are more accurate but still just as hard to understand- natural, artificial, natural and artificial. More about flavoring descriptions later in the story.
We look at nutrient statements for lots of different reasons. Whatever your reason, you need to know how to use this information more effectively and wisely. When it comes to beverage labels, we are all drinking more calories than ever, so it is even wiser for us to understand not only the familiar elements: calories, carbs and fats, but also deciphering the flavor descriptors for the beverage you choose.
Next is the nutritional facts statement- Here is the nutrients you should drink or eat less of (saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and sugar) as well as those you should drink more of (vitamins, minerals and fiber). A drink or food that provides 5 % or less of daily value is considered to be low in that nutrient, where a food or beverage is considered a good source of a value if one serving provides 20% daily value.
It is about the serving amount next. This is the first place on the label line and the basis for all the numbers and percentages that come after it. If you don’t observe the serving size, you could be drinking more calories than you thought. For example, one serving of your beverage is one cup, not two cups, so you’re average drinking glass could be duplicating your actual calorie intake, twice the calories, fat, carbohydrates, etc. without you even understanding it.
Now for calorie counting. This tells you the number of calorie in a serving. Also listed are the calories from carbs and fat. For example, a one-cup portion of typical juice has 120 calories per cup and there are two servings per bottle, of which 60 or about 50 percent are from carbs. If you’re looking to drop carbs, you might choose products with 30 percent or less carbohydrates.
The nutrient information comes next. This box lists what’s in the beverage, including any added nutrients, fats or sugars. Ingredients are listed in order by weight, from the largest to the smallest. So if you want to cut back on sodium or sugar, don’t choose a beverage or food product with sugar as the first ingredient. And don’t be tricked by different forms of fat and sugar listed with unfamiliar names. If you want to know how much sugar is really in a product, look for what we call the osis affliction. Words that end in “ose” -sucrose, dextrose, fructose – as well as more common synonyms: corn syrup, molasses and honey.
Descriptors: What do “light”, “fat-free” and “low-sodium” really say? What does pure flavoring or all natural really mean? Here’s how the FDA describes these words: low-saturated fat (one gram or less per serving); low-sodium (140 milligrams or less); low-cholesterol (20 milligrams or less and 2 grams or less of saturated fat); low-calorie (40 calories or less). Light beverages and foods have two-thirds the calories of the regular variety. Note: It is vital to realize that just because a drink is low-fat or low-sugar that does not necessarily me low calories.
According to the FDA, there are really only three approved flavor descriptors, well 4 if you include spices. Here is a brief summary and some of the more common language used: 1. Natural- essential oil, essence or extractive, distillate, or any product which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit, or fruit juice whose significant function is flavoring rather than nutritional. 2. Artificial- any additive used to impart flavor not derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice. 3. Natural & Artificial- A combination of natural and artificial flavorings.
As far as flavor descriptions for the drinks you consume, you need to see past things when a beverages label says pure flavoring. Look further at sodas. They taste great but are loaded with high fructose corn syrups, even though they are natural products. Review alternative beverages that let us to get all the taste and flavoring with 0 calories, carbs and fats.
One solution is to find bottled flavored water. There is a wide selection of products to choose from. Watch and choose flavored waters with zero calories. You can also make your own flavored water by cutting up fruit. Look for natural flavoring additives and concentrates with 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 fats is another inexpensive choice beverages high in calories. These new flavoring drops are quite different and new to the market and let you add flavoring to h20, teas, brews, even vodkas with zero extra calories.
When it comes to your weight and good health, searching for low cost alternatives to drinks just makes good sense. Flavored water with natural flavoring concentrates could be end up becoming your perfect diet drink!
George Napoli is the publisher of the article and CEO of yumdropsflavoring.com. He knows all about nutrient labels, especially what to look for, where to look for it and the secrets when it comes to carbs and serving size. Learn more at www.yumdropsflavoring.com.
George Napoli CEO of Yum Drops Flavoring knows the inside secrets of nutrient labels. He has been researching what’s in nutrient label and has experience in developing labels for natural flavor drops for flavored water.
categories: Flavored water,flavor drops,flavor concentrates,weight loss,beverages for diabetics,nutrionists,diabetes,health fitness