How To Read A Nutrition Label: What’s Really In Your Food?

How often do you truly check the nutrition facts on the sides of packaged food products? It helps to know what's really going into your body if you're looking to keep your Heart healthy and strong.

1. The Serving Size: Listen and pay attention to this label before read anything else. The Serving Size differs from the Servings per container. If you finish the box, chances are you're increasing the amount of nutrients and harmful ingredients by 200% or even more! Obey the serving size, they are there to protect your heart and overall health.
2. The Fats: It's obvious that this alone is harmful to your health and weight, but not all fats are bad. Monounsaturated fats and Polyunsaturated fats (good fats) actually help lower cholesterol levels while Saturated and Trans Fats (bad fats) raise them. Reduce the amount of bad fats to avoid heart disease and stroke.
3. The Cholesterol: Sadly, many products these days contain cholesterol. In order to maintain a healthy balanced heart- do not exceed 200 milligrams (mg) of cholesterol a day.
4. The Sodium: Be careful how much sodium (or salt) your body consumes...  It absorbs excess water that can lead to high blood pressure. According to the American Heart Association, the recommended limit of sodium consumed per day should not exceed 1,500 milligrams.
5. The Carbs: These are basically just a fancy word for sugars. Although sugar is not the best thing for you, your body still needs it. Carbs are broken down into sugars which provide you with energy. Control the amount of carbs you take in to control weight maintenance and lower the chance of heart disease.