Reading The Fine Print

Not many of us look closely at the labels when we buy a food packet. Experts however say it’s crucial to read the fi ne details to fi nd out the ingredients and nutritional information of the product that you are about to eat.

- Anindita Ghosh

If you are guilty of skimming your eyes over the fine print, or worse ignoring it completely, you are not the only one. Most of us don’t bother reading and understanding all the information on the nutrition label before we dive into the goodies inside the packet or tin. Experts however say it is crucial that you read what is written very carefully, not only if you have an existing medical condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, but also if you want to remain fit or lose weight. Kavita Devgan, a nutritionist, author and weight management consultant, says, “Typically most of us just scan the brand, the price and, if time permits, the expiry date. Labels usually sound like Greek to us. But they are there for a reason: they help us compare similar products and choose better foods based on their nutritional value.” To make things easier for you, we have decoded all the fine print most commonly found on food labels so you know exactly what’s going into your body.

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