While doing some research this morning, I came across this excellent report on food claims and labeling by the Center For Science in the Public Interest. It’s definitely worth a skim – at least the first handful of pages (FYI, link is a PDF!)
But the part that I was most excited about was a revised Nutrition Facts panel!! Look awesome these proposed changes would be!! SO much more user friendly! [It’s a little fuzzy but that’s how the PDF was 🙁 ] The report says that the FDA is moving forward on doing a revision in the near[er] future and testing new labels on consumers.
Guys, I took down the Nutrition Facts label image in fear of breaking some kind of copyright. But you can find them on page 7 of the above PDF 🙂
In other news, Kodiak is running low on the raspberry syrup that comes with the two boxes, so the Open Sky freebie has been changed to their Mountainberry flavor! I’m curious to give that one a try myself!
And lastly, reader Hilary sent me this Runner’s World article on eating real food to fuel workouts. I couldnt’ agree more
Lunch today is awesome and packed with nutrients and volumnious, fiberous produce!
Half a sandwich of Organic Valley Sharp Cheddar and Crofter’s on Flax Oat Bran. Three of the world’s greatest foods!!! I can’t get enough of all of them.
A rainbow of veggies. If you have trouble getting veggies into your lunch, fall back on plain slices. It’s what I do when I’m in a hurry. And guess what? I kind of LIKE them plain now. It would be more fun with hummus or peanut butter or something, but sometimes plain is just easier.
That sneaky grapefruit from yesterday’s lunch that slipped my mouth yesterday!! Lots of nutrient-dense produce in today’s lunchbox 😉
This afternoon I plan on munching on a LaraBar and small tangelo as a snack while I drive up to Davidson (and probably sit in 2 hours of rush hour 🙁 )
I am so ready to enjoy a warm spring evening with old friends!
shannon (the daily balance) says
Thanks for the informative link! I’m so jealous of all the info you’re so lucky to be exposed to! those proposed changes are incredibly encouraging! My fingers are crossed that they actually come to fruition.
have a great afternoon!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
My husband calls those “hobo” snacks for the car ride. At least you won’t be hungry! Stay safe!
Mama Pea says
I’m glad to see the label improvements! The more clarity, the better. I’m also glad to see I’m not the only one who eats straight from the breadboard sometimes.
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
It’s hard to tell, but the label improvements do look better; they look slightly more similar to UK ones – we often have a ‘traffic light’ system (some supermarkets do anyway), where red highlights bad/high levels etc. I think it works well!
I can’t wait to read that Runner’s World article 🙂 I shll do so now!
Have a goodafternoon 🙂
Ana says
Love the label improvements, I have my fingers crossed that they change it. One of my pet peeves with the nutritional label is the lack of mention of added sugars, I hate hate hate that. Manufacturers always do their trick claims and people never pay attention to the added sugars. I will be a happy consumer if I can see the added sugars listed on the label!
I also like to pack plain sticks of veggies, love to munch on those! Bell peppers and zucchini are my favorites!
Ana
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats says
That is awesome news about the product labels – I am especially glad to see that naturally occuring sugars and added sugars will be noted, as I think that’s really important for someone to plainly see!
Enjoy your warm weather – we got teased for a couple days with it here and Iowa and are now back down to 30-40s and snow. 🙁 Have (warm) fun for me!
Ally says
hmmm. Well I love your blog and not trying to be disagreeable here but, I don’t think I like that label change at all!! haha. I’m confused already. I like how the old one has calories from fat listed. If I looked at that box I would want to know right away that half the calories I was about to eat came from fat. And the new one says added sugars. Is that only sugars that are added to the product and not naturally occurring ones? So we would have no way of knowing the total sugar content? Wouldn’t some people (like diabetics) want to know that information right off hand? Maybe I don’t think 9g added sugars is bad but combined with the natural sugar content it ends up over 20g…
Also, the percent daily value is just based on an average 2000 calorie diet anyway. That’s not necessarily applicable for everyone. I liked the box that said 2000/2500 and then < than for the fat, sat. fat, fiber, etc. It was a quick point of reference in case you didn't know what you should be eating I could kinda guesstimate, okay I'm eating 1500 calories and I should have about this much protein. Now, you have to look it up someplace to find out? Why wasn't that useful? If they really want to make it that user friendly they could put a range on there for the % daily values. I think this new label assumes people actually know more about nutrition, not less.
I think the people that truly need to lose weight and change their eating habits probably aren't reading the labels anyway. I don't think its going to help one person make better choices by making these few small changes on the label. I
About the only thing I like better is the allergen information at the bottom!!
So, sorry about the rant. Your lunch looks delish as always, hope your schedule settles down soon!
Kath says
I think you’re right that it needs a bit of tweaking, but I still think it’s an improvement. (Diabetics are more concerned with total carbohydrates than just added sugars). I do think the larger and easier to read labels will help both the informed and the uninformed. A recent FDA survery showed that more people are reaading labels!
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin says
I love how colorful your lunch is! I have a grapefruit to eat later today too but maybe i’ll eat it now instead 🙂
Laura says
I really like the new labels! My favorite part is actually the caffeine content being tracked! I want to start tracking my caffeine intake, but I have no idea how to find out how much caffeine is in my food!
The only part that I am confused about is the % daily amount for protein. Since protein’s RDA is based on body weight and not calorie expenditure, do you know how they are going to handle it? I haven’t read the PDF yet (and won’t be able to until later), but I am curious about that.
Thanks for sharing! Enjoy the trip this weekend!
Kath says
I’m not sure about the PRO requirements.
izzlecanoe says
Those new labels look like a step in the right direction, lets hope that labels are changed for the better. I also have a pet peeve about unfounded health related claims for food. Being a science geek I want there to be evidence for such claims. On that note, this might be interesting to you. Its a great visualization of the current scientific evidence for popular nutritional supplements. http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/snake-oil-supplements/
Have a great afternoon,
Izzle
Kath says
Oh that is so cool!!
Becky @ flybynyght says
Thanks for the view of the Nutrition Facts – it looks like a MAJOR improvement over the old style. Now if only people would read them…
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
I agree about the world’s three greatest foods!! 🙂 And they are totally better together!!!!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
gorgeous pictures!!! that rainbow of veggies sounds so good…there’s nothing better than enjoying a great spring night with great spring food! hope your friday is going well!
Katherine says
I like the changes a lot. Especially the larger print for number of servings per box. People always get thrown off by that – thinking they are consuming much less than they actually are due to multiple servings per package.
It will definitely take some getting used to, but I think will make more sense in the long run.
Also – that Rumi poem you posted yesterday has totally stuck with me. I feel so moved by it. Thank you for sharing.
[email protected]://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
I’m going to have to check out both those articles this weekend, it sounds like good info.
Caroline (Ribbons, Roads, and Raspberries) says
I caught the label before you took it down! It was excellent! I think there must be a daily amount for sugars, protein, etc. and that knowing calories from fat is silly. I think that was left over from the low fat craze (’80s or ’90s? Back then I didn’t know what a calorie was, ah bliss…). I also agree that the labelling is sneaky on sugars and grains.
However, I disagree with lowering the sodium recommendation. I’ve heard of athletes that try really hard to consume a low-sodium diet actually being deficient in sodium. Salt requirement varies depending on activity and sweating and a lot of the people reading those labels and watching their salt would be health-conscious athletes.
Kath says
I agree!! 1500 is VERY low!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
Love the assortment of veggies! Enjoy the Spring-like weather and company!
Jen says
Hey Kath – Have you seen this blog:
http://fedupwithschoollunch.blogspot.com/
It’s by a teacher who is eating school lunch for a year. Her school lunches don’t look as good at the ones you made on your last internship rotation…
Hannah says
I’ve always liked my veggies best plain – but your blog has taught me that carrots taste pretty darn amazing with peanut butter too!
Whitney @ Whitinspired says
That bread looks so good..a stop by my Great Harvest might be in order this weekend!
Lauren @ Eater not a runner says
I love raw peppers chopped up to eat, it’s such a refreshing snack! Have a great time in Davidson 🙂
The Paris Food Blague says
thanks for the link i’ll read it right away!
i like raw plain veggies too in a five year old lunch boxy kind of way.
and that bread….!
a bientot
Maria says
Yea, I’m glad I got my order in last night. I can’t wait to try the flapjacks! Have a great weekend and enjoy this beautiful weather we’re having. 🙂
Ameena says
The label improvements are definitely a step in the right direction! Thanks for the link.
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
Great information — thanks. As usual, love all the colorful veggies. I need to expand my palate here in New Zealand but veggies are SO much more expensive than in the US.
Food Makes Fun Fuel says
I just refueled an 11.25 miler with real food and feel great!
Allison K says
ahh…a warm spring evening with college friends sounds amazing!
Megan (bites of the apple) says
I like the idea of having added sugars on there–it always annoyed me to not have that info!
Heather says
Yum…coconut cream pie is my favorite flavor of Lara Bar. I must make a trip to Whole Foods soon to replenish my supply! I only have cashew cookie at home right now.
Lauren says
I don’t think I could ever really enjoy eating raw bell peppers, but I sure would love to try out that coconut cream pie Lara Bar. I’m going to my favorite health store next weekend, so hopefully I can pick one up!
Lisa @ Early Morning Run says
thanks for the heads up on the report. I’m definitely going to check that out! Have a great weekend!
Jennifer says
Thanks for sharing that report. I love the changes to the new labels. Actually, my favorite part is the bullets beteween the words on the ingredient statement, and the upper/lowercase vs. all caps. My eyes kind of just skim the current statements because it all bleeds together, this makes it much easier. I work for a food company, so I see a lot of changes and work to do in the future, but all for the right reasosns
clay says
thanks for the cool link! Have fun with the friends!
Lana says
Wow, great nutrition label link!
Kath, you TOTALLY make me wish every day that there was a Great Harvest Bread up in Canada. Are you sure you don’t want that to be the location of your franchise?! 😉
(I don’t know if you’ve said or if it is a secret, but are you planning on working at the store or going into something more formally “dietician?”).
Have a blast at the “wedding.”
Kath says
Bakery + blogger for the short term. Hopefully some private practice on the side!
[email protected] says
Your bread makes me so jealous everyday!
I definitely think that nutrition labelling needs a change. Especially the claims on the packaging. I love that their example is a box of cake that says it strengthens immunity, is high in fibre, contains real fuit, has natural ingredients…… So misleading!!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
The bread looks so awesome! Makes me want to travel down south just for that.
YAY for sunny skies and lunches eaten outdoors. Spring is officially here *tomorrow*!
Kori says
Your lunch looks like it was delicious. I was able to FINALLY enjoy my lunch outside and go on a 45 minute walk today!! I LOVE spring! BTW I ordered the Kodiak Cakes, and I’m so pumped to try them + the syrup. 🙂 I love that nutrition labels are getting more attention, and I feel they need to be changed pronto. It’s about time. Have a great rest of your day, Kath!!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i’m gonna be sitting in traffic in rush hour in a few too…not looking forward to it! 🙁
lauri Watson says
Man- Should have waited to order the Kodiak Cakes! I would LOVE to try Mountainberry instead of raspberry! Oh well, Still excited to give the Kodiak Cakes a try!
Simply Life says
Interesting article – thanks for sharing!
Danica says
I LOVE that you took your lunch pics outside in the backyard – it’s the perfect place for a rainbow of veggie colors 😀
I LOVE your OS special too – awesome idea to toss in the syrup too 🙂
Joanne says
Yay for Spring! I can’t wait. Even food pics look better. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Katrina says
I just visited my first Great Harvest yesterday in Jackson, MS of all places (subsequent blogging and drooling quickly followed). I bought some 9grain for sandwiches and it’s really good! Which one is your favorite sandwich bread? I like the 9 grain, but when I go back to Jackson in a few weeks, I’ll be going by the store to see what else they might have.
Kath says
Fun! My favs are Flax Oat Bran, HIgh Fiver Fiber and Dakota. Oh, and Cinnamon Raisin Walnut!
Katrina says
Haha! I have the CRWalnut on my counter now and thought it would be great with a nut butter and spread. My grandmother got the Dakota and we were amazed at how good that one was with the pumpkin seeds. They had just pulled it out of the oven so it was still warm when we got home. It was divine! I’ll check with the store and see when they might have the flax oat and the high fiver. Thanks!
rachel says
kath! i ran on the trails today at davidson, couldn’t help but think of you, felt like you would be proud, and saw your blog today that you’re coming! maybe i will see you around town! i’m a new KERFling and would be so exited. 🙂 hope you have a great weekend!
Kath says
I’ll be around!! Do you go to Davidson? Live here? Feel free to email me.
BroccoliHut says
Great links–I especially like the one from RW! One of my fave publications.
Loving all the color in this post;)
tami says
LOVE the article on food labels!! I wish this research was out when I was in college, I could not agree more with changing the way nutrition labels are. Many of my clients cannot understand the nutrition labels and how much they should be eating, etc. 🙂 thanks for sharing!
brittany says
I love those new labels! I think that seeing ingredients in red would be so helpful and warn people to eat those foods moderately. I think that’s such a good idea and I’m sure it would be easier to understand by people who have no idea how to read current food labels.
Cyndi says
Thank you for the link to food labeling … I will read that later for sure. Very interesting!
BTW, I tried a can of sardines on a romaine/tomato salad yesterday … it was DELICIOUS! I chose a boneless variety in olive oil and salt – very mild flavor and perfect texture. I think the brand was Crown Prince? On sale at 2/$5 – not bad for the nutritional value. A great addition – thank you.
That bread looks amazing.
Kath says
Yipee sardines!
Britthney says
Thanks so much for sharing the info about the new food labels. I definitely think the new ones will be easier to read than the current ones 🙂
Brittney says
haha Wow…definitely spelled my name wrong in that last comment. My name would be Brittney, not Britthney 🙂
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
Plain veggies are great snacks! I enjoy the multiple flavors.
Hadley says
I agree! It’s so easy to get veggies in your lunch by just having them plain — and it’s always nice to have something crunchy in the afternoon!
Veronica says
Hey Kath, Me & my husband just went up to Cary to pick up a race packet for the Tobacco Road Marathon, and we spotted the Great Harvest Booth. We told the super nice lady that we had heard all about her bread on a blog. She knew right away it was Katheats!! She said she had just met Matt recently at a conference. Anyway, we sampled the Dakota bread, and cinammon swirl, they were both to die for!!
Kath says
Oh fun!!! Enjoy your breads 🙂
Lisa says
ooh- i love LOVE the makeover of the food label. i hope they remodel it like that- so much mroe useful- thanks for the link!!
im studying to be a registered dietician too- so i LIVE for this stuff!
-Lisa
Elizabeth says
That bread always looks amazing, I wish my GH baked it!
This is a really random question I have for you…
I am looking for the perfect orange for my living room and remembered you have a great one in your house! Do you remember what color it is? I would love to know! Thanks!
Kath says
It’s from Lowes and I think it’s called “Clay Pot”
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
GH always makes the best looking sandwiches!! 🙂
Jenn
Adventures of Alice says
Hey Koops! Thanks for putting that nutrition label info up—it was really interesting and I hope they do change it! In the UK they have a “stop-light” snapshot that gives you the amount of calories, fat, sat. fat, salt, and total sugars on the front of a package for a serving size all color coded in green, yellow, and red. Green is good/healthy numbers; yellow is for things that are ok, but not the best, and red is for things that aren’t great and should be limited. (http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/foodlabels/trafficlights/)
This stuff is new, but before and still on a lot of packaging it just has the nutritional value for 100 grams of a product—not very helpful for the general public who probably have no idea what 100 grams of a product is or how much they should be eating of a product!
Olivia says
Thank you SO much for the PDF labelling report – I love being aware of current health reforms. Great info 🙂
Julie @SavvyEats says
I am so excited to try the Kodiak cakes!
I am also excited for the more clear nutrition labels… it is something that has been needed for a long time!