From frozen dinners to snack chips and desserts, Americans eat most of their calories – about 80%, according to a recent study -- from packaged foods. If that sounds surprising, consider that the majority of a grocery store is devoted to aisles of dry and canned goods, frozen foods, dairy and meat products that are often pre-packaged. So, it's more important than ever to be a savvy consumer and know what to look for on the label.
There are four big categories that can make a difference in how healthy packaged goods may be, according to nutritionist Kristin Kirkpatrick: additives, sodium, sugar and fiber. While there are dozens of different kinds of these additives, and even sugar can masquerade by many names, these are the easiest questions to ask yourself while looking at the labels: Are there too many ingredients in this item? Are these ingredients I have at home in my own pantry?
There are plenty of healthy options to choose from, too. Read more about how to tell if the pre-packaged and processed foods you're buying are healthy enough to bring home. |
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