Sunday, Sep. 20th 2009
We’re all trying to eat better. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, we have difficulty determining whether or not something we find on the grocery shelves is really healthy. One thing we read says to worry about high fructose corn syrup, another article says that it’s fine. We’re not sure how much protein we need or if all carbohydrates are bad. And, what are the right fats to have in our diets? Is olive oil or canola better? Well, following are five highly reputable sites you can use to make sense of the nutrition information you read. These sites will likely be able to answer all your questions about how to eat right.
The US National Agricultural Library – this site is run by the USDA and is dedicated to providing credible, accurate and practical information on nutrition and health. The site has been around since 1971 and has consistently ranked as a leader in providing food and nutrition information.
Nutrition Data – This site has been around since 2003, and provides a plethora of information about what we eat, what we should eat, and how we can use nutrition to prevent and control chronic illnesses. The nutrition information is provided by the USDA’s National Nutrient Database, but there’s also lots of great articles and advice here.
Nutrition.gov – This site is provided by the federal government, and serves as a gateway to other nutrition sites, as well as providing information of its own. You’ll find information on healthy eating, nutrition, food safety and physical activity.
Eat Right – Run by the American Dietetic Association, this site is dedicated to providing objective food and nutrition information to help people eat healthier. There’s an alphabetical list of food and nutrition sheets on many foods that is very helpful and easy to use.
International Food Information Council – This site serves as the council’s primary way of disseminating science based information on nutrition and food safety. They are often used by other agencies as the source for articles, etc, but all of their information is available to consumers, too. This site has a great glossary of food related terms. It helps explain all those confusing terms you may not understand when you read them on a label.
USDA Food and Nutrition Page- This department of the US government administers the food and nutrition assistance programs of the USDA. Their site has a lot of information on food safety, food allergies, nutrition information and dietary guidelines as recommended by the USDA.
Eating right is not supposed to be difficult. And, while it is probably certain that many food manufacturers don’t really want us to understand what is in the food they sell, it is important for us to take the initiative to do so. Proper nutrition is one of the keys to a long and healthy life. So, use the resources above, as well as other you might locate, to keep abreast of food and nutrition issues. It pays to really know what you’re putting in your body.
Phyllis Zerkle is a freelance blogger and covers topics such as how to become a certified nurse assistant online,how to progress in a medical career, and more.