We study nutrient labels for many reasons. But, whatever our choices, we all needs to understand how to use this information smarter. When it comes to a sodas label, we’re consuming more calories than ever, so it is even more critical to know not only the familiar components- calories, carbs and fats, but also understanding the flavor descriptions for the beverage of choice.
A beverages flavor descriptor is a signal to what’s in the drink. Not all descriptions are approved by the FDA, so now you have to deal with fantasy descriptions such as pure flavoring and all natural flavors along with descriptions that are on point but still just as confusing- natural, artificial, natural and artificial for example! More on the subject of flavoring descriptions later in our article.
We look at nutrient statements for lots of different reasons. Whatever your reason, you need to know how to use this information more effectively and wisely. When it comes to beverage labels, we are all drinking more calories than ever, so it is even wiser for us to understand not only the familiar elements: calories, carbs and fats, but also deciphering the flavor descriptors for the beverage you choose.
Next is the nutritional facts statement- Here is the nutrients you should drink or eat less of (saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and sugar) as well as those you should drink more of (vitamins, minerals and fiber). A drink or food that provides 5 % or less of daily value is considered to be low in that nutrient, where a food or beverage is considered a good source of a value if one serving provides 20% daily value.
About the serving amount now. This is the first place on the label line and the basis for all the numbers and percentages that come after it. If you don’t observe the serving size, you could be drinking more calories than you thought. For example, one serving of your beverage is one cup, not two cups, so youre average drinking glass could be duplicating your actual calorie intake, twice the calories, fat, carbohydrates, etc. without you even understanding it.
Caloric Information is next in line. This tells us the number of calories in a typical serving size. Also included are the calories from carbs and fats. For instance, a 1-cup serving of your favorite beverage has 120 calories per cup and there are two servings per bottle, of which sixty about 50 % are from carbs. If you want to minimize carbs, you might select products with thirty% or less carbs.
Learning about nutrients is next. This area contains what’s in the drink, plus any added nutrients, fats or sugars. Ingredients are in order by weight, from the highest to lowest numbers. So if you want to cut back on sodium or sugar, don’t choose a beverage or food product with sugar as the 1st ingredient. And don’t be fooled by different forms of fat and sugar listed with names you dont understand. If you want to learn how much sugar is really in a beverage, look for what we call the osis words that end in “ose” -sucrose, dextrose, fructose – as well as more common descriptions: corn syrup, molasses and honey.
Learning what descriptors mean now: What does pure flavoring or all natural mean? What does “light”, “fat-free” and “low-sodium” really say? Here’s how the FDA defines these descriptions: low-saturated fat (1 gram or less per serving); low-sodium (140 milligrams or less); low-cholesterol (20 milligrams or less and 2 grams or less of saturated fat); low-calorie (40 calories or less). Light beverages and foods have 2/3 the calories of the regular product. Note: It is important to know that just because a beverage is low-fat or low-sugar that doesnt mean low calories.
As far as the FDA claims, there are really only three approved flavoring descriptors, 4 if you include spices. Here’s a little review and some of the more common language out there: 1. Natural: essential oil, essence or extractive, distillate, or any product which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit, or fruit juice whose significant function is flavoring rather than nutritional. 2. Artificial: any substance used to impart flavor not derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice. 3. Natural & Artificial: A blend of natural and artificial flavors.
When it comes to flavoring descriptors for the beverage you drink, you have to look further when a beverage touts, pure flavoring. Look deeper at fruit drinks. They taste good but are filled with high fructose corn syrups, even though they are natural. Look for other beverages that allow you to get all the flavoring with none of the calories, carbs and fats.
Our recommendation is to search for bottled flavored water. There is a wide selection of products to choose from. Be careful and pick the ones with 0 calories. You can also make your own flavored water by cutting up slices and putting them in a picture of tap water for a couple of hours before using. Searching for natural flavoring additives and concentrates with 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 fats is another low cost alternative to high caloric beverages. These unique flavoring drops are new to the market and let you enhance the flavor of water, teas, coffees, even vodkas with 0 calories.
When it comes to your weight and good health, searching for low cost alternatives to drinks just makes good sense. Flavored water with natural flavoring concentrates could be end up becoming your perfect diet drink!
