Do Food Labels Motivate You To Be Healthier?

Do you read food labels? Well, they are about to change. Food labels were originally introduced to assist consumers in making healthy choices. The question is, "Do food labels motivate you to be healthier?". More than 1/3 of adults in the U.S. and 17% of children are obese. Obesity doubled for adults and tripled for children just within the time span from 1980 - 2008. These numbers show that people just don't read the food labels, don't understand them or really just don't care.

Food labels are about to change but the new label really doesn't look that different. There have been research studies done with food labels, but little research has been done to determine if those reading the labels chose a healthier lifestyle over time. The largest study was in 2009 and included 9000 people. This study was to see if those people could identify healthier choices based on the information on the label. Some research showed that educated females with health concerns were the ones who actually uses the labels most.

The changes on the new label with be introduced in about two years. They are propsoing three changes including:

1. Mandatory listing of added sugars

2. Larger size type and format for listing Calories

3. Amended definition of single-serve containers to show what is customarily consumed in one sitting.

Current Label

New Label

Food labels have readers, but are the readers taking action?

Are you taking action and using these labels as motivation to have a healthy lifestyle? I would love to know who is reading and making a decision whether to purchase a product based on the food label.

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“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20