Calorie Countdown
Reading food labels can help you make smart food choices that'll contribute to your healthy diet, but are you sure you know how to calculate the calories of the food you're eating?

Start by checking the serving size and the number of servings in a package. Serving sizes are standardized and measured into units such as cups (and sometimes "pieces"), which makes it easier to assess the nutritional information, so you don't have to squint at labels for hours on end.

Remember that calories are always listed per serving, NOT per container. Be sure to read the fine print because those marketing folks can really be crafty. For instance, on the label of a pint of ice cream, you might discover that there are roughly 300 calories per serving and 4 servings per container, meaning that this pint contains a whopping total of 1,200 calories — while the front of the container trumpets that it has fewer calories that its competitor!

Checking this information can be frustrating and confusing at first, but now that you know how to do it, you will never miscount calories again. You'll also be able to make changes and adjustments so that you stay within the guidelines of your personal caloric intake. Don't let misleading packaging screw with your diet. Fight back by educating yourself and actually reading the labels!

Tomorrow's Tip: Perk Up Your Pecs