Articles
Reading food labels: Tips if you have diabetes
Content
Start with the list of ingredients
Consider carbs in context
Put sugar-free products in their place
Beware of fat-free products
Know what counts as a free food
Do the math
The bottom line
Start with the list of ingredients
When you're looking at food labels, start with the list of ingredients.
- Keep an eye out for heart-healthy ingredients, especially those that are less processed, such as whole-wheat flour, soy and oats. Monounsaturated fats — such as olive, canola or peanut oils; nuts; and seeds — promote heart health, too.
- Avoid unhealthy ingredients, such as excessive salt or added sugars, saturated fats, or hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil.
