Fats and Deceptive Food Labels
06-Jun-07
If you’ve been to our Fitness Through Empowerment Seminar then you know that there is a lot of hidden information in the Nutritional Information Label required on food packaging. Many of the most glaring misconceptions involve fat. It is important to understand the rules governing the claims food producers can make and to become a detective to find out exactly what you are putting into your body.
Fat has gotten a bad rap. It is an essential part of our diet. Fat is needed in the body to supply energy. With 9 calories per gram, it is the most energy dense macronutrient. Fat is also needed to promote absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.
That said, most Americans eat too much fat with much of this fat being saturated. A diet like this can lead to high cholesterol, heart disease and obesity. However, with a bit of education and a bit of vigilance on your part, you can drastically reduce the amount of fat in your diet.