There is only one way to incorporate healthy foods into our diet and that is to make decision to do it! Practical information about nutrition and safety of foods we consume is absolutely vital in making this decision.

One way to learn more about what we eat, is to snoop around supermarket. Check-out package labels to see what manufactures are adding (or removing) from foods we eat. Read information on package and start making comparisons to determine which foods are best for YOU. Know about nutritional labeling and sometimes sneaky ways that manufacturers have of hiding what is in food. Know and understand ingredient declarations, how they are used, and what a few of "technical" terms mean. Are unfamiliar ingredients good or bad for your health?

Since 1994 food manufacturers have been required by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to include food labels (or Nutrition Facts labels) on product packaging so that consumers have accurate nutritional information about food they purchase. But food labels are more than just a federal requirement – once you understand information they provide, you can use food labels as a guide to planning healthier meals and snacks.

Food labels are required on almost all foods, except those that don't provide many nutrients such as coffee, alcohol and spices. Although some restaurants provide information about food they serve, they aren't required to have labels. The FDA recommends that sellers provide nutritional information on produce, meat, poultry and seafood, but it's strictly voluntary.

What Is a Serving?

Failure to accurately assess risk keeps people locked in all kinds of unhealthy situations including poor eating and exercise habits (lifestyle), relationships and jobs. Sometimes people are just afraid to step out and make a change. They see "risk" in making a change when REAL risk comes from NOT making a change. From my perspective, living with stress, unhappiness and frustration of indecision and poor health is greatest risk of all, and one that is definitely not worth taking!

Accessing "risk" is nothing more than collecting information, weighing alternatives and then making appropriate decisions based on information.

Some risks to our health are more "real" than others. For example, it is common knowledge that obesity is associated with a wide variety of health problems. On other hand, there are some health risks that are so remote we rarely think about them. On a practical level, eating highly processed foods and avoiding a daily dose of fresh fruits and vegetables is rarely considered serious. But, as too many have already discovered, long range consequences of this practice are real and devastating.

Failure to accurately assess risk limits us in many ways. We imagine "risk" of talking with our children about drugs, dating or sex and we put off having "talk," even though risks of NOT talking are infinitely greater. Fear of flying and public speaking are two more "risks" affecting millions of people. But practically speaking, these fears are unfounded. People ride in cars every day, even though cars are far more dangerous than commercial aircraft! It's a failure to accurately assess risk, and it limits our health, prosperity and pleasure in life.