Introduction: Sandwich cookies, digestive biscuits, soda crackers, whole grain biscuits… many people choose based on flavor, but from now on, consider nutrition as an important indicator when selecting biscuits. Shop smart and eat with more awareness.
The country has officially implemented the "Regulations on Nutritional Labeling of Prepackaged Foods," requiring prepackaged foods to list their main ingredients, energy content, and core nutrient values. A reporter went to a supermarket and randomly picked several brands of biscuits, and sure enough, each package had a clear nutrition facts panel and ingredient list. But how can this nutritional label and ingredient list help us when choosing biscuits?
First, look at the ingredient list
An ingredient list shows the composition of a food, with ingredients listed in order of their quantity. Therefore, when picking biscuits, check the ingredient list first.
In the biscuits selected by the reporter, wheat flour, edible (or refined) vegetable oil, and white sugar were listed at the top. Then, different ingredients are used depending on the flavor, such as raisins, bran, barbecue seasoning, onion powder, and so on. Naturally, biscuits with authentic ingredients like raisins will be more expensive.
Next, look at the nutrition facts panel
Don't be fooled by the many flavors and types of biscuits, such as chocolate-filled, whole grain, scallion oil, or soda crackers. The Nutrient Reference Value percentage (NRV%) for energy is basically between 20% and 25%, meaning that every 100 grams of biscuits can meet 20% to 25% of the body's daily energy needs. So, if you like to have biscuits as a snack, one or two pieces at a time is enough.
However, different types of biscuits do vary in other nutrients. Besides the mandatory labeling of protein, fat, carbohydrates, and sodium, for example, biscuits that focus on being low-sugar will list the sugar content under carbohydrates, while biscuits containing bran focus on their dietary fiber content, which is also often listed.
Although most biscuits are sweet, their sodium content is also worth noting. In the biscuits selected by the reporter, the NRV% for sodium ranged from 14% to 26%, with some milk and salt-flavored biscuits having an even higher sodium content.
Biscuits are undoubtedly a great source of energy. No matter the flavor, taking an extra look at the label when you buy can help you eat more wisely.