Final answer:
When reading nutrition facts labels, look out for artificial additives, high sugar content, and processed ingredients. Focus on whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, and consider organic certification as indicators of healthier food choices.
Step-by-step explanation:
When looking at the ingredients list on nutrition facts labels, it is important to watch for:
- Presence of artificial additives such as colors, flavors, and sweeteners which some individuals may want to avoid.
- High sugar content that can contribute to various health issues if consumed in large amounts.
- Processed ingredients like white flour or white rice, as these have fewer nutrients than their whole food counterparts.
- The list of ingredients which are shown in descending order by weight. Those listed first are present in the largest amounts.
It is also beneficial to recognize the nutritional benefits of foods that contain whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, and to be mindful of preservation methods. Organic certification on labels indicates the food meets certain production standards without the use of most synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which is another aspect of healthy food selection.