
Nutrition Label
We are told to read the nutrition labels to help us find out how healthy the food is that we eat, but how many of us actually know the the answer to this simple question, "How many calories should Ibe eating in a day?" I am not asking in general, I am asking specifically, "How many calories do each one of us need every day?" This is not something you can find on the nutrition label of your favorite food. It is something specific to each individual because we are all so unique in health, build and physical activity. Some people might need 1,600 calories a day and others 3,000 calories. Until we find out how many calories we should be eating, reading the label might make you feel good and it might give you some indication about whether or not you should stay away from a specific food, but the amounts and percentages you see on the label are very general and won't be accurate for your needs.
One way to calculate your daily caloric and nutrient recommendations is a government website that lets you input basic information about yourself (sex, age, height, weight and physical activity) and it tells you how many calories, nutrients, vitamins and minerals you need. It does not account for health issues, or for people wishing to either lose or gain weight. It is a very quick and easy tool to use and a good place to start. The website is: http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/interactiveDRI/