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Food Label Reading 101

by dietitian Clare Wood

Food packaging labels and nutrition information can be very confusing and difficult to decipher for the consumer. Here are some basic details to help wade through the information so you can understand it all. 



What you commonly find on food packaging

food label food label

Tips for deciphering a label when looking for healthy options

What about the fruit and vegetables?

Obviously it is difficult to read labels in the fresh produce section, because fresh fruits and vegetables don’t have labels! But if you think outside the box, you can use the tinned or frozen vegetable section to discuss the differences between fresh, and highlight the positives and negatives of using all the different varieties to increase vegetable consumption on the whole. Similarly tinned and frozen fruits can be included to do the same. Most other foods have labels.



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