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FDA Nutrition Facts Essay

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Value Of The FDA Nutrition Label For Fighting Obesity

In January 2018, the Nutrition Facts Label is getting a new look. These changes would include complete ban on trans fats and removing “calories from fat” information, among other things. Does this mean that choosing healthier options may become easier?

The nutrition label hasn't changed its characteristic for the last 20 years, except a small change in 2006 when the Food and Drug Administration added information about trans fat. The FDA is determined in their decision to change the label on most processed food products in the U.S. The new label will emphasize total calories, certain nutrients like vitamin D or potassium and added sugars. They are also removing “calories from fat” and …show more content…

Wider consumption began in 1950s when rather badly done study recommended replacing butter for margarine. People mistakenly believed that margarine will save their hearts for longer than 50 years.
Eating trans fats increases levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) while at the same time lowering levels of HDL (good cholesterol), increases body weight and risk of heart disease, causes memory loss, and even depression. They're widely used because they are inexpensive and last very long. Trans fatty acids give texture and taste to most of the processed foods like microwave popcorn, desserts, frozen pizza or coffee creamers. Many fast-food restaurants still use them for deep frying since these oils can be repeatedly used in large commercial fryers.

Together with the new and more user-friendly FDA nutrition label on the way, which will show added sugars and calories per whole package — not per serving like it did before — this is a good way the world is headed, at least nutrition-wise. It's a shame to die early only because something was gaining money for some multi-billion dollar companies. Although trans fats are the biggest evil among fats, don't let this ban give us false sense of security. Saturated fats are still going to be a big problem, but one thing at a time. Just remember, only mindful eating can make us healthy, feel and look good in the long

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