How to read food labels for weight loss?

By Dr Jorge Metri (PhD) | Reviewed by Dr Anny Manrich (PhD)
Page last updated: 02/06/2023 | Next review date: 02/06/2025
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The contents of this article are fact-based except otherwise stated within the article.

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Author bio

Dr Jorge Metri PhD is a Nutritionist with vast experience in food design with natural ingredients. He also researches sensory sciences and food quality with cutting-edge technologies like Machine Learning. He writes and reviews content on these topics.

Dr Jorge Metri’s highlights:

  • Invited Reviewer of two international scientific Journals
  • PhD in Food Science with emphasis on reduced-fat salad dressings with non-animal derived proteins at Universidad De Las Américas Puebla
  • Diploma in Artificial Intelligence at Universidad Anáhuac, México
  • Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition at the Universidad Latino

“Science shows its true impact when we make it understandable for everyone” – Dr Jorge Metri PhD.

Professional experience:

Prior to doing his PhD, Jorge Metri worked as an independent nutritionist for almost two years, focusing on sports nutrition to enhance the performance of swimmers and triathletes.

Jorge Metri has worked on several multidisciplinary research projects, including fruit processing, the production of protein-based products, spices, seasonings, jams, and artificial intelligence applied to agriculture production and food quality.

In the food technology area, Jorge Metri has contributed to improving sales and profits of two entrepreneurs of artisanal food products by reformulating their products and standardizing their processes.

Due to the high volume of food production and innovation, the food industry will need new technologies for food characterization in the next years; Jorge Metri is looking for studying such technologies, in 2022, he was selected as a finalist in the IFT FIRST 2022 Food Science event for the Sensory & Consumer Sciences Division Graduate Student Pangborn Oral Competition with the work titled: Machine Learning Models for Mayonnaise Acceptability Prediction.

Education:

  • 2018 – 2023: PhD in Food Science at Universidad De Las Américas Puebla of Puebla, México
  • 2022: Diploma in Artificial Intelligence at Universidad Anáhuac, México
  • 2011 – 2016: Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition at the Universidad Latino of Mérida Yucatán, México.

Main publications of Jorge Metri:

Conference papers:

You can view some of Dr Metri’s work below and links to his professional profiles:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorge-metri-ojeda/ 

Research Gate:  https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jorge-Carlos-Metri-Ojeda-2 

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=SBi5hE8AAAAJ&hl=es 

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7333-3688 


Dr Jorge Metri (PhD)
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Reviewer bio

Dr Anny Manrich PhD is a food Engineer with expertise in Food Technology, Natural Polymers, Edible Films, Enzymes, and Nanotechnology. She writes and reviews content on these topics.

Dr Anny Manrich’s Highlights: 

  • Research and Technology at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation
  • PhD in Chemical Engineering with a focus on Biochemistry at the Federal University of Sao Carlos/ Brazil and a one-year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich/ Germany
  • Bachelor of Food Engineering at the University of Campinas/ Brazil and a one-year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich/ Germany

 

“To solve a problem, global vision and multifactorial understanding are necessary. Therefore, in addition to expertise, one should seek multidisciplinary thinking connected with science and reality” – Dr Anny Manrich, PhD.

Professional Experience: 

Dr Anny Manrich’s Experience Joining the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, as soon as she completed her doctorate, 

 

Dr Anny Manrich has worked on several projects, including the more than three-year partnership project with BRF, a major food producer in Brazil. As a postdoctoral fellow. 

 

Dr Anny Manrich has also contributed to several business consultancies and research projects of the National Nanotechnology Laboratory System in areas such as food technology, fibres, films and coatings and Nanotechnology; in a very determined way, having a great team relationship, being creative and committed. 

Growing concerns about the safe introduction of nanomaterials into today’s life emphasises the need to create regulatory documentation in front of characterising, using and testing them. Dr Anny Manrich worked for two years on a characterization project for nanoscale materials, with the aim of exploring their possible health effects.

 

Despite not having specific academic training in packaging or polymeric films, Dr Anny Manrich works at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation in areas of edible and biodegradable films produced from agricultural waste and in the development of films with greater resistance to water, having articles published in renowned scientific journals, which demonstrates her multidisciplinary understanding and creativity. 

 

In addition, she worked for four years as a consultant to a food company to develop a line of snacks that are healthy and that add functional ingredients, physiologically active compounds that bring health benefits, made from fruits and vegetables, enabling diet improvement, disease prevention and reduction of nutritional deficiencies. 

Dr Anny Manrich participated as a member of the examination board for two Master’s exams and one PhD exam at the Department of Chemical Engineering of the Federal University of São Carlos.

Education:

  • 2001 Bachelor in Food Engineering at the State University of Campinas, Brazil
  • 1999 One year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich
  • 2004 Master in Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil
  • 2012 PhD in Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil
  • 2010 One year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich

The main publications of Dr. Anny Manrich are:

Articles

Manrich, A., Moreira, F. K., Otoni, C. G., Lorevice, M. V., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. (2017). Hydrophobic edible films made up of tomato cutin and pectin. Carbohydrate Polymers, 164, 83-91.

Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Martins, H. H. A., Manrich, A., Otoni, C. G., Carvalho, E. E. N., … & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Correlating emulsion characteristics with the properties of active starch films loaded with lemongrass essential oil. Food Hydrocolloids, 100, 105428.

Norcino, L. B., Mendes, J. F., Natarelli, C. V. L., Manrich, A., Oliveira, J. E., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Pectin films loaded with copaiba oil nanoemulsions for potential use as bio-based active packaging. Food Hydrocolloids, 106, 105862.

Manrich, Anny, et al. Immobilization of trypsin on chitosan gels: Use of different activation protocols and comparison with other supports. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 43.1 (2008): 54-61.

Manrich, Anny; Komesu, Andrea ; Adriano, Wellington Sabino; Tardioli, Paulo Waldir ; Giordano, Raquel Lima Camargo . Immobilization and Stabilization of Xylanase by Multipoint Covalent Attachment on Agarose and on Chitosan Supports. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, v. 161, p. 455-467, 2010.

Mendes, J. F., Martins, J. T., Manrich, A., Neto, A. S., Pinheiro, A. C. M., Mattoso, L. H. C., & Martins, M. A. (2019). Development and physical-chemical properties of pectin film reinforced with spent coffee grounds by continuous casting. Carbohydrate polymers, 210, 92-99..

Milessi, T. S., Kopp, W., Rojas, M. J., Manrich, A., Baptista-Neto, A., Tardioli, P. W., … & Giordano, R. L. (2016). Immobilization and stabilization of an endoxylanase from Bacillus subtilis (XynA) for xylooligosaccharides (XOs) production. Catalysis Today, 259, 130-139.

Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Manrich, A., Pinheiro, A. C. M., Oliveira, J. E., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Development, physical‐chemical properties, and photodegradation of pectin film reinforced with malt bagasse fibers by continuous casting. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 137(39), 49178.

Mendes, J. F., Martins, J. T., Manrich, A., Luchesi, B. R., Dantas, A. P. S., Vanderlei, R. M., … & Martins, M. A. (2021). Thermo-physical and mechanical characteristics of composites based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) e spent coffee grounds (SCG). Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 29, 2888-2900..

Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Martins, H. H., Manrich, A., Otoni, C. G., Carvalho, E. E. N., … & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2021). Development of quaternary nanocomposites made up of cassava starch, cocoa butter, lemongrass essential oil nanoemulsion, and brewery spent grain fibers. Journal of Food Science, 86(5), 1979-1996.

Manrich, A., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2021). Manufacture and performance of peanut skin cellulose nanocrystals. Scientia Agricola, 79.

Nascimento, V. M., Manrich, A., Tardioli, P. W., de Campos Giordano, R., de Moraes Rocha, G. J., & Giordano, R. D. L. C. (2016). Alkaline pretreatment for practicable production of ethanol and xylooligosaccharides. Bioethanol, 2(1)..

Manrich, Anny, de Oliveira, J. E., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. C. Physicochemical and Thermal Characterization of the Spirulina platensis. J. Agric. Sci. Technol. B, v. 10, p. 298-307, 2020.

 

Book Chapter

Terra, I. A. A., Aoki, P. H., Delezuk, J. A. D. M., Martins, M. A., Manrich, A., Silva, M. J., … & Miranda, P. B. (2022). Técnicas de Caracterização de Polímeros. Nanotecnologia Aplicada a Polímeros, 614.

 

Conference Papers

Ferreira, L. F., Luvizaro, L. B., Manrich, A., Martins, M. A., Júnior, M. G., & Dias, M. V. (2017). Comparação da estabilidade de suspensões poliméricas de amido/tocoferol e quitosana/tocoferol. In: CONGRESSO BRASILEIRO DE POLÍMEROS, 14., 2017, Águas de Lindóia, SP.

Manrich, A., Hubinger, S. Z., & Paris, E. C. (2017). Citotoxicidade causada por nanomateriais: avaliação do micronúcleo. In: WORKSHOP DA REDE DE NANOTECNOLOGIA APLICADA AO AGRONEGÓCIO, 9., 2017, São Carlos. Anais… São Carlos: Embrapa Instrumentação, 2017. p. 655-658. 

Manrich, Anny, et al. Immobilization and Stabilization of Xylanase by multipoint covalent attachment on Glyoxyl Agarose Support. The 31st Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. 2009.

 

Manrich, Anny, et al. Application of immobilized xylanase on hydrolysis of soluble wood hemicelluloses after using microwave and organosolv pre-treatments. The 32nd Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. 2010.

 

You can view some of Dr Anny’s work below and links to her professional profile. 

 

Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anny-Manrich-2  

 

Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=23103497100  

 

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=Ea9qpr0AAAAJ  

 

Linkedin: https://br.linkedin.com/in/anny-manrich-20693129

 


Dr Anny Manrich (PhD)
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In this brief guide, we will answer the query “How to read food labels for weight loss?” We will cover relevant information such as how to calculate total calories and macronutrients from the food label, and how to use the ingredients list for an informed-decision. 

How to read food labels for weight loss?

If you want to lose weight, but you often eat packaged foods, you should read the nutrition facts at the back of the package. Nutrition facts offer information about energy, and all nutrients contained in the product; however, you should know a few things to properly read it (1,2).

All claims are based on a 2000 calorie diet; so, when you read that certain food provides only 5 % of daily sugar intake, and you are eating fewer than 2000 calories, it is probable that you are having more than 5 % of your (personalized) intake (1,2).

Prefer “low” versions instead of “reduced” versions of foods; reduced-fat and reduced-sugar claims only require a reduction between 25 and 30 % compared to the original product (3,4). 

On the other hand, low-sugar foods must provide no more than 5 g per 100 g, and low-fat products must provide less than 6 g per 100 g of food (3,4).

Moreover, must labels inform nutritional information based on a single serving, which could be from a few grams to 100 g. So, you should look for the total servings per container to know how many calories and macronutrients you are eating (1,2).

In the following subheadings, you will learn what a serving size is and how you can calculate the macronutrients and calories in a food product.

What is serving size, and how does it affect my calorie intake?

A serving size is a measurement of a certain amount of food, it can be expressed in grams (g), pieces, cups, ounces (oz), milliliter (ml), among others. This can impact your calorie intake if you do not consider the whole content in the product (1,2).

When you look at the nutrition fact label, this is calculated on a single serving size; if you eat the whole product, but you are not considering all servings in your calorie count, you may increase your total daily calorie intake (1,2).

To calculate the full calorie and macronutrients in a product, you should look for the following information (in the nutrition fact label):

  • Size of serving
  • Total number of servings
  • If the label does not provide the total number of servings you can calculate it with this procedure: find the total weight of the product and divide it by the serving size.
  • Once you have the total number of servings, just multiply every nutrient (calories, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, fiber) times the total number of servings.

How to understand ingredient lists?

The ingredients list is at the back of the package, and it reports all ingredients used in the product. The ingredients are ordered by the quantity used, starting with the most abundant and finishing the list with the less abundant ingredient (1,2).

You can use this list to detect undesired or desired ingredients.

What ingredients should you prefer for weight loss?

When looking at the ingredients list, you should identify ingredients which are linked to a better weight management (5,6):

  • Prebiotic and fiber like inulin, pectin, carboxycellulose, and resistant starches are good for weight management because they do not provide energy, feed your microbiota, and help to increase the satiety sensations.
  • Carotenoids are natural pigments, they are not that common in processed foods because they could be expensive. But carotenoids have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that have been associated with a reduction of obesity risk.
  • B vitamins are normally added to food products, these are important because they can improve the metabolic efficiency, especially for nutrients’ absorption and macronutrients’ metabolism.

What ingredients should you avoid for weight loss?

There are other ingredients that are not very recommended for a healthy diet, and also in a weight loss diet. The main ingredients are the high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oils (7,8).

High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener obtained from the breakdown of corn starch and its further conversion to fructose; this sweetener is very cheap, and it has a higher sweetening capacity than sugar (7).

Unfortunately, high fructose corn syrup is linked to metabolic inflammation and irregularities in cholesterol levels. The relationship between high fructose corn syrup and obesity is still unclear, but it is indirectly associated with being overweight (7).

On the other hand, partially hydrogenated oils (or fats) are associated with a higher body weight gain and increase of adipose tissue. So, it is better to avoid these fats in your diet (8).

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the query “How to read food labels for weight loss?” We covered relevant information such as how to calculate total calories and macronutrients from the food label, and how to use the ingredients list for an informed-decision. 

References

  1. Temple NJ. Front-of-package food labels: A narrative review. Appetite, 2020;144(104485):104485.
  1. Temple NJ, Fraser J. Food labels: a critical assessment. Nutrition, 2014;30(3):257–60.
  1. Mistry VV. Low fat cheese technology. Int Dairy J, 2001;11(4–7):413–22.
  1. Vanderlee L, White CM, Bordes I, Hobin EP, Hammond D. The efficacy of sugar labeling formats: Implications for labeling policy: Efficacy of Sugar Labeling Formats. Obesity, 2015;23(12):2406–13.
  1. Snauwaert E, Paglialonga F, Vande Walle J, Wan M, Desloovere A, Polderman N, et al. The benefits of dietary fiber: the gastrointestinal tract and beyond. Pediatr Nephrol, 2022.
  1. Godswill AG, Somtochukwu IV, Ikechukwu AO, Kate EC. Health benefits of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and their associated deficiency diseases: A systematic review. International Journal of Food Sciences, 2020;3(1):1–32.
  1. Li X, Luan Y, Li Y, Ye S, Wang G, Cai X, Liang Y, Kord Varkaneh H, Luan Y. The effect of high-fructose corn syrup vs. sucrose on anthropometric and metabolic parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Nutr, 2022;27;9:1013310.
  1. Pai SA, Munshi RP, Juvekar AR. Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil containing 5% trans fats when combined with fructose exacerbates obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats. Nutrire, 2020;45(1).