Does your child want to be as tall as a giraffe and as smart as a fox? Every parent wants the best for their kids. But while we want them to eat nutritionally dense food, we buy products that may not be right for their health. There are a plethora of things available in the market. We look at the pretty packing and feel "Oh this must healthy. I have to pick it up for my child.". Unfortunately, that's not always the case. There are a lot of things which we tend to overlook and these things are actually very unhealthy for your family. So how do you know what you are picking up is healthy and nutritious? Do you check food labels & information tables when you buy any food product? No? You should be reading this information very carefully.
What Should You Look For?
You may ask why should you check the labels? Checking the label of any food product you buy is extremely important. Whenever you buy a food product, it clearly shows
- Nutritional Value – This table lists how many calories each serving could provide, whether there is added sugar or salt, whether the fibre, protein, carbohydrates and vitamin content is healthy for our bodies.
- Right Serving Size – The serving size mentioned on the packet lists the breakdown of nutrients based on the serving that is right for you. If you increase or decrease the serving size mentioned, your child will not get the full nutritional benefit.
- Ingredients – What a product is made of i.e the ingredients used are extremely important. If one ingredient is touted as healthy but the rest of the ingredients/add-ons are detrimental to our health then you should not be buying that product.
The purpose of the food labels is to help you make healthier choices and give you a clear indication of whether the product is healthy or not.
What you should be watching out for on these packages is – no added sugar, trans-fat or added salt. These are harmful and you should avoid packaged food that contains them. These extras are considered unhealthy food. The nutritional content shows whether the product has adequate proteins, vitamins, minerals and the right kind of monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
What's a good source of protein for your child? Let's have a look at what labels says.
Listen to what our expert nutritionist has to say about reading food labels and healthy eating. She answers some of the most Googled questions by moms across the country. Watch it to know if she answered any of yours!
This post is written in association with Pediasure India.
KSP Team
