According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third of U.S. adults have obesity. We are all aware that obesity can cause a myriad of health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and more. However, studies show that fewer than 50% of people say they pay attention to nutritional facts at restaurants.
Whether eating at a restaurant or at home, it is important to be aware of what you are putting into your body. When reading nutrition labels, there are a few things that you should look for to help you make healthy food choices. These include:
What many people may not know is that calories are often listed for one serving, not the entire package of food. This means that if you are used to eating the entire bag of chips, in reality, you are probably eating three or four servings. Sticking to a healthy amount of calories a day can help you to stay at a healthy weight. See your physician to find out what a good daily caloric intake and weight is for you.
One serving size does not usually mean the entire package of food. Make sure that you check the serving size on packages of food, as well as the number of servings in the package to be sure that you are not over-consuming.
Percent Daily Value
The percent daily value tells how much of a nutrient’s total daily value is in one serving. In general, if a food has 20% or more of the prevent daily value, it is high in that nutrient. If it has less than 5% of the prevent daily value, it is low in that nutrient. Individuals should try to avoid fats, trans fats, cholesterol and sodium and stick to foods high in fiber, vitamin A, calcium, and potassium.
Overall, keeping tabs on what you are putting into your body is one of the easiest ways to stay healthy. Along with exercise, healthy eating can help keep your body strong, healthy, and happy.
At Orlando Plastic Surgery, we put an emphasis on a healthy lifestyle. Visit our Orlando office today to see a full listing of our available treatments to help you look and feel better on the outside as well as the inside!