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Nutrition Information |
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Food Labels: Fact or Fiction?
How often do you pick up items at the grocery and scan the labels? Do you understand them? Ever wonder if they are really accurate? Many consumers probably glance at them, but based on the current obesity rate today it seems as if people should pay more attention. Selling food is a big business. Through clever marketing campaigns and tricky labeling, many companies are able to influence your feelings and buying decisions. However, food makers are required to follow guidelines set forth by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Such guidelines include listing health claims and noting the % of daily values per serving. Health claims link a food or one of its components to a specific disease or health related condition. Classic examples include whole grain cereals advertising that they may lower cholesterol (General Mills) and more recently yogurt products (Yoplait) proclaiming that (3) servings of yogurt a day will help you burn more fat. Fortunately, these claims must be based on solid research. Moreover, only approved health claims may appear on foods that meet the set requirements. What about daily values? Typically, the label reveals the % of daily value for total fat, saturated fat, total carbohydrates, dietary fiber and protein, which is based on consuming 2,000 calories per day. The daily value does make it easy to compare similar foods because the serving size is usually the same. The tricky part lies in discovering two critical pieces of information. First, the amount of calories required per day varies from person to person based on age and activity level. Second, it is necessary to determine if your serving size is smaller or larger than the serving size listed on the food label. Based on this information, consumers can begin to piece their own nutritional puzzle together. However, be cautious as you can still be fooled by labels. For example, have you ever purchased fat free cooking spray? Many people assume it is fat free. The reality is that the serving size is so small (1/3 second spray or .25 grams) that it is virtually impossible to spray enough to coat a pan without exceeding the serving size by at least threefold. Another red flag may be the fact that there are 557 servings in one 6 ounce can. Suddenly, in a larger serving size, it is no longer fat free. Wow! Is that legal? Yes, simply because in the serving size listed the fat value is negligible. Ironically, the fat free product managed to add fat to your meal. The bottom line is this: people should eat a balanced diet based on their activity level, age and caloric needs. Understanding all of this information simply serves as a roadmap to directing consumers to make more informed and healthier food choices. References Understanding Food Labels American Dietetic Association Brian Schiff, PT, CSCS, is a respected author, physical therapist and fitness expert. You can sign-up for his free online newsletter @ http://www.thefitnessedge.cc. Copyright � 2005 Brian Schiff
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Take A Look At Short-Term Rental Regulations That Are Already In Effect Nantucket Current Maui transient vacation rental phaseout—more housing, fewer jobs University of Hawaii System Phasing out Maui short-term rentals would increase housing but hit economy, UHERO report says Hawaii Public Radio Kane in Your Corner: Vacation rentals face scrutiny over spy cams News 12 - The Bronx Uncertain Economy Contributes to Slow Summer Rental Bookings The Vineyard Gazette Hotel or rental for your summer trip? Know the pros and cons of each WCPO 9 Cincinnati Vrbo Just Released Its Top Vacation Homes for 2025—and We're Ready to Book Our Next Trip veranda.com The Best Vacation Rental Travel Insurance for 2025 U.S. News & World Report Santa Cruz County moves to rein in vacation rentals Lookout Santa Cruz Judge strikes down South Lake Tahoe vacation rental limits San Francisco Chronicle Vacation rentals rebound on Anna Maria Island as tourism picks up after 2024 hurricanes Bay News 9 Stunning Dripping Springs oasis named a Vrbo top vacation rental of 2025 CultureMap Austin Phoenix firm involved in bidding war for vacation rental company The Business Journals Maui mayor's plan to phase out vacation rentals would increase housing but shrink the economy thederrick.com Capitalizing on the $147 Billion Vacation Rental Market GlobeNewswire Maui mayor's plan to phase out vacation rentals would increase housing but shrink the economy Goshen News This Ohio Airbnb tops travelers' wishlists with a nearly perfect rating. See inside The Columbus Dispatch Dune Vacation Rentals Domus Pacis - Vrbo's 2025 Vacation Rental of the Year in Seagrove Beach, FL 30A Yahoo Finance Vrbo reveals its 2025 vacation rentals of the year Short Term Rentals - News It's Not Your Imagination: Palm Coast Homes Used as Vacation Rentals Increase by 70% in 2 Years, to Over 500 FlaglerLive Vrbo Just Revealed Its Top 10 Vacation Rentals of 2025—And You Won’t Believe How Stunning They Are Reader's Digest Indian Rocks Beach to fight vacation rental lawsuit Tampa Bay Times Vrbo Reveals the 2025 Vacation Rentals of the Year Yahoo Finance The 9 Most Remarkable Airbnb Treehouses You’ll Ever Stay At Outside Magazine Cocoa Beach hikes fees to operate vacation rentals Florida Today North County Report: More Vacation Rentals, More Problems Voice of San Diego Vacation Rentals Florida Trend Find out how to book a night at this glamping dome most 'wish-listed' by Airbnb users Kewanee Star Courier Palm Springs eases vacation rental rules in effort to aid Los Angeles area wildfire evacuees The Palm Springs Post San Diego needs more money to enforce vacation rentals so it’s raising licensing fees San Diego Union-Tribune Indian Rocks Beach votes to weaken vacation rental rules ABC Action News Tampa Bay Manatee County Commission votes to pursue regulation of short-term vacation rentals Sarasota Herald-Tribune Why Hawaii Vacation Rentals Plummeted To 52% Beat of Hawaii Gulf Shores Rentals Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism Citing housing crisis, Santa Cruz County supervisors take aim at vacation rentals Lookout Santa Cruz AI-Powered Travel Trends and the Smart-Bot Tsunami: The Future of Personalized Vacation Rentals GlobeNewswire Flamingo hotel operator is now offering luxury vacation rentals complete with concierge service The Press Democrat Groups file suit against Gallatin County over vacation rental ban Missoula Current Ventura gives initial approval to new rules for short-term vacation rentals Ventura County Star Why rich Americans are ditching their fancy hotels on vacation Business Insider Capital One Travel Adds Vacation Rentals — And You Can Earn 5x Miles on Venture Cards Upgraded Points Pinellas commissioners reject controversial changes to short-term vacation rental rules ABC Action News Tampa Bay Newry’s Vacation Rental Ordinance to be discussed at public meeting Lewiston Sun Journal Hawaii County Council’s vacation rentals bill shelved Honolulu Star-Advertiser Beachfront Rentals Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism Vacasa founder Breon launches new vacation rental startup Fairly Short Term Rentals - News Owner-Managed Vacation Rentals Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism I'm a full-time traveler. I use these 5 questions to spot red flags in any vacation rental listing. Business Insider |
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