You may have noticed the “cross” symbol on nutrition facts labels. What does it mean? Many people don’t know what it means. However, it has multiple meanings. In this article, we’ll go over the different meanings and how to use them in your daily food choices. You’ll also get to know what to avoid when reading the nutrition facts on a food label. This will prepare you better to make correct decisions when buying food.
When a food label says it contains “daily value,” it means that it contains a certain amount of a nutrient. To help consumers make the most informed choices, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed grouping nutrients into “Daily Values” to make it easier to find the right food. The cross, or asterisk, means the food doesn’t contain significant amounts of saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, or dietary fiber.
What Is A Cross?
Although the “cross” symbol looks like a cross, it’s a dagger, and it is composed of a horizontal bar and two dots. Various cultures use the cross symbol differently. Some people use it to signify a negative word, while others see it as positive. The “cross” on a nutrition fact means that the food contains too much sugar. The more fiber, the lower the amount of fat, while it’s used to indicate that a food is high in fat.
What Does A Cross On Nutrition Fact Labels Mean?
The cross represents the dietary fiber content of a food. The “cross” on a nutrition fact is an asterisk used to denote dietary fiber, and this is not a good thing. As long as you’re consuming a healthy diet, the cross means that you’re eating enough fiber to satisfy your body’s needs. But, if you’re not getting enough fiber, you should try to avoid eating foods with high-calorie content.
What Does A Cross On A Product Mean?
A cross on a product denotes either a vector product or one of the two products produced by multiplying the two means or proportion extremes. The “cross” on a nutrition facts label is the cross-product of two vectors. The cross is a positive sign, meaning that the product contains many carbohydrates. The asterisk also means that the product contains too much sugar. In contrast, the “x” indicates that the product contains too many calories. Thus, food with too much sugar isn’t necessarily good for you.
What Method Do You Use To Read Nutrition Facts?
Step 1: Begin by determining the serving size.
Step 2: Determine the Total Calories.
Step 3: Use the Percent Daily Values as a Reference Point.
Step 4: Review the Nutritional Terms.
Step 5: Choose foods low in saturated fat, sugar, and sodium.
What Can Information Be Found On The Nutrition Facts Label?
The Nutrition Facts label can help you figure out how many nutrients are in the foods you eat. Total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, salt, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, total sugars, added sugars, protein, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium must be listed on the Nutrition Facts label.
A Nutrition Facts Label’s Structure Includes
Serving Size
That’s where you’ll learn how much a single serving of the product is. Increased serving sizes to match what we eat nowadays are critical modifications to the revised nutrition facts label. However, it is not the entire pint of ice cream that you had hoped for! This measurement can help you pre-prep snack bags to take to work or keep on hand in your car or purse for quick healthy food selections if you’re seeking heart-healthy snacks.
Total Calories
This figure corresponds to the serving size. The calorie count shown here is for a single serving. If you intend to eat more than one serving, multiply the total calories by the number of servings you will consume.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol-rich foods can raise your risk of heart disease. As a result, seek low-cholesterol meals, such as those found in a plant-based diet.
Fats – Saturated and Trans
If a food’s label says it’s rich in saturated fat (no more than 20 grams total for the day), it’s not a good choice for a heart-healthy diet. Saturated fats elevate your LDL cholesterol, or “bad cholesterol,” which raises your heart disease and stroke risk. Trans fats should be avoided at all costs because they’ve been linked to an elevated risk of heart disease, stroke, and Type II diabetes.
Sodium
If you want to eat a heart-healthy diet, limit your sodium intake to roughly 2300 mg per day. Low sodium is defined as a sodium level of 140 mg or less on the nutrition information label, and this is an essential number to look for when reading the label.
Total Carbohydrates – Fiber and Sugar
Fiber-rich foods can help manage blood sugar levels and decrease cholesterol, beneficial to a balanced diet.
Protein
Although protein is an integral part of a balanced diet, avoid adding extra fats from fatty meats and processed meals.
Vitamins and Other Nutrients
Calcium, iron, and vitamins are essential nutrients in a balanced diet! This area has a lot of helpful information to help you receive the nutrients you need. The daily values for nutrients have been changed to reflect new scientific information on the redesigned nutrition facts label.
What Does “X” Denote On The Nutrition Facts Panel?
The “x” on the nutrition facts panel indicates the number of calories in the product. The “X” is the percentage that indicates the daily value. Often, the cross means that a food item contains too much of it. It’s not necessary to be worried; however, it’s better to be informed before you make a decision. If you’re concerned about the calories and fat content, you should consult the label’s nutritional information.
Conclusion
The cross on a nutrition facts label can be confusing and misleading. You can’t just look at the nutrition facts and hope to figure out what they mean, and you can’t just guess. Instead, it would help if you used a tool to help you make the right choices. This way, you’ll be able to get the exact information you’re looking for, and you’ll be better informed and able to make informed decisions about your health.
