How to Read Food Labels for Heart Health

Have you ever looked at a food label and felt like you were reading a different language? You’re not by yourself. It’s important to read food labels, especially if you want to eat in a way that is good for your heart. You can use these signs to help you choose healthier foods that are good for your heart. Let’s look at how to read food labels for heart health.

How to Read Food Labels for Heart Health: Understanding the Basics

What Information is Found on Food Labels?

Many things are written on food labels, like how many calories are in each amount and what nutrients are in the food. They give specifics about how much protein, fat, cholesterol, salt, carbs, vitamins, and minerals are in the food. You now know what you’re putting in your body and how it might be affecting your health.

The Importance of Serving Size

It’s important to learn how to read food labels for heart health and pay attention to the serving size on food labels. That number tells you how much food the nutrition facts are for. If you eat more or less than the serving size, you’ll have to change the nutrient numbers. This helps you control how much you eat and keep correct records of the nutrients you take in.

Key Nutrients to Watch for Heart Health

Saturated Fat and Trans Fat

Higher amounts of bad cholesterol are linked to saturated and trans fats. This can make you more likely to get heart disease. To keep your heart healthy, eat foods that are low in these fats.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol in food can also change the amount of cholesterol in your blood. Even though they’re not as bad as saturated and trans fats, you should still watch how much you eat, especially if your cholesterol is high.

Sodium

People who eat a lot of salt may have high blood pressure, a big risk factor for heart disease. Check the labels to find foods that are low in sodium, and try to stay below 2,300 mg of sodium a day, or even less, if your doctor tells you to.

Dietary Fiber

Fiber is good for your heart because it lowers cholesterol. Eat a lot of foods that are high in fiber because they are good for you.

Sugars

Consuming a lot of sugar might make you increase your weight and raise your risk of heart disease. Read labels to find out how much extra sugar is in food, and try to eat less of it.

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