FOX4: FAME: Understanding the Importance of Reading Food Labels

Food as Medicine Everyday (FAME) is a 12-week program offering nutrition education classes on a variety of topics to help improve diet and lifestyle. You’ll learn simple techniques to cook tasty, nutritious meals. Saint Luke’s Muriel I. Kauffman Women’s Heart Center is a founding member of the Food as Medicine Institute Alliance. 

Lucas Schubert, Nutritional Coordinator with Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute and the Food As Medicine Everyday (FAME) program, shares an easy way to make healthier choices by reading food labels with FOX4 morning show.  

When reading the ingredients list: 

1. Look at the length of the list. Longer lists typically mean more heavily-processed foods. 
2. Look at the names of the ingredients. Ingredients should be recognizable as real foods. 
3. Look at the order of the ingredients. Ingredients are listed based on the amount found in the food. 

Specific types of ingredients to limit/avoid: 

1. Added sugars 
2. Partially-hydrogenated oils 
3. Chemical additives and preservatives