Nutritious food is necessary to sustain life, and that's one reason why food packages contain lists of ingredients. But all ingredients are not created equal. A growing number of consumers desire greater transparency about the foods they are eating, including sourcing, production, preparation details, and nutritional content. While that can be challenging to ascertain when dining out, people have more control over what they eat at home.
According to the plant-based food advocacy company ProVeg International, 62 percent of people are paying more attention to ingredient lists now than they did five years ago. In addition, nearly two-thirds of adults say the ingredients in a food or beverage have at least a moderate influence on whether they buy it.
One of the ways to be mindful of food ingredients is to understand food labeling. Pertinent information is included on the label, and it pays to study these labels when choosing foods. Here's how to navigate the Nutrition Facts Label, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
