The Changes Coming to Food Labels

Before, we talked about how we can decipher the crazy that is the nutrition label. By July 26th, 2018, changes to the current nutrition label will be put into effect, and they're really moving in the right direction!

Here are some of the changes that you will see by next year:

• Added sugar, which should be no more than 10% of the diet, will be specified on the label under total sugars.   
• Vitamin D and potassium required, but Vitamin A and C won't be required anymore. Calcium and iron will continue to be required.
• Removing calories from fat label from the top of the label, as it's been decided fats are not the enemy. (Go figure!)
• Updating the recommended daily values of sodium, fiber, and vitamin D based on the 2015 Dietary Guidelines
• Realistic serving sizes based on what people actually eat, not what that should eat. For example, right now a 20 ounce soda can be three serving sizes, to make the nutrient facts look a little better. Because many people will consume that entire beverage in one sitting, the container is only allowed to contain on serving. This is great for us,  because food companies will often finagle the serving sizes to fit certain rules. Trans fats, for instance, don't have to be on the label if there is less than .5 gram per serving. So, if they just decrease the serving size, the label can technically say "no trans fats". Not anymore! 

These changes will help us see inflammatory sources in our diets (added sugar), try to de-demonize fats, and help give us a better perspective of what is in the amounts we're eating rather than the idealized version of a portion size. It sure seems like these changes will make a difference in our food choices!