How to read nutrition labels
One of the great things about tracking your meals with MyFitnessPal is that you’re able to see exactly the kind of nutrition you’re getting with each thing you eat when you plug it in.
You can also see the nutritional info of packaged foods when you’re at the grocery store—I highly recommend you get into a habit of checking food labels every time you shop.
I know it can be overwhelming to look at the label at first, but once you know what to look for you’ll find this practice super helpful in making healthy choices while you shop.
Here’s the most important information we’re after:
Number of Calories
By now, we know about the amount of calories that you’re shooting for each day. When you select a food and look at the nutrition label, ask yourself how many calories does this food contain, and will it be filling enough? Would something else of the same number of calories satisfy me more?
For example, a bowl of Special K cereal with 2% milk is about 240 calories. However, you would feel fuller and more satisfied longer if you were to eat that cereal with nonfat plain Greek yogurt instead of milk (250 calories).
Macronutrients
You’ll also want to consider the amount of macronutrients in a given food and think about what kind of calories you’ll be getting in terms of macronutrients. Remember that you need the right balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats throughout the day. Checking a food label can help ensure you’re getting the right balance of your macros.
Other Essential Nutrients
To avoid eating too much “empty calories,” make sure that the food you’re choosing has at least 10% of the daily value of at least one essential micronutrient (for example, Iron, Vitamins C, A, B, etc, and Potassium).
About the Author
Jayd Harrison is a personal trainer and content creator. She helps people to build muscle, burn fat, and clean up their diets with her online coaching programs and social media content. Check out some of Jayd’s coaching videos on Youtube, or join Jayd live on Twitch and follow on social media.
