Putting Your Fat Knowledge to Work

Posted on | January 17, 2007 | Comments Off on Putting Your Fat Knowledge to Work

If you saw last week’s Health Politics program in which I discussed the different types of fats, their role in cholesterol circulation, and how they affect risk of heart disease and stroke, you will notice that this week’s program builds upon that information to help you use it in your everyday life.

Knowing about fats is one thing, but using that knowledge to be a healthy shopper and eater is a whole different story. It takes time and effort, and these aren’t necessarily things we all have in abundance. That’s why it’s important to know what you’re looking for — when you’re in the supermarket, eating in restaurants, or preparing meals at home.

Do you know how to read a food label? As I noted in the program, food labels can be a little confusing and sometimes even tricky, but once you understand how to read them, you’ll find that the information provided is extremely valuable. Take a macaroni and cheese label, for example. The percent daily values listed are for one serving, but the box actually contains three servings, so if you eat the whole thing, you’ve gone over many of the recommended daily allowances for a 2,000-calorie diet. I think there are a lot of people who don’t realize things like this.

The point is, labels matter and should be read carefully. Are you a label reader? If so, how do you apply your knowledge to how you shop and eat? Sharing tips and ideas on topics like this can be really helpful. Please feel free to comment below.