Reading Food Labels When You Have Diabetes
Understanding Label Claims
Another aspect of food labeling is label claims. Some food labels make claims such as "low cholesterol" or "low fat." These claims can only be used if a food meets strict government definitions. Here are some of the meanings:
| LABEL CLAIM | DEFINITION (per standard serving size) |
| Fat-free* or sugar-free | Less than 0.5 gram (g.) of fat or sugar |
| Low fat | 3 g. of fat or less |
| Reduced fat or reduced sugar | At least 25% less fat or sugar than the regular product. |
| Cholesterol free | Less than 2 milligrams (mg.) cholesterol and 2 g. or less of saturated fat |
| Reduced cholesterol | At least 25% less cholesterol and 2 g. or less of saturated fat |
| Calorie free | Less than 5 calories |
| Low calorie | 40 calories or less |
| Light or lite | 1/3 fewer calories or 50% less fat |
Some other important terms that are found on food labels include information on the amount of salt:
| Label Claim | Definition |
| Sodium-free or salt-free | less than 5 mg. per serving |
| Very low sodium | 35 mg. or less of sodium per serving |
| Low sodium | 140 mg. or less of sodium per serving |
| Low sodium meal | 140 mg. or less of sodium per 3 and a half ounce meal |
| Reduced or less sodium | at least 25% less sodium than the regular version |
| Light in sodium | 50% less sodium than the regular version |
| Unsalted or no salt added | no salt added to the product during processing |
Remember that one teaspoon of salt contains 2,000 mg of salt.
WebMD Medical Reference
Is This Normal? Get the Facts Fast!
Answer:
0-69
70-130
131+
Your level is currently
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Did You Know Your Lifestyle Choices
Affect Your Blood Sugar?
Use the Blood Glucose Tracker to monitor
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