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Roma-girl
Wed, Aug-17-05, 11:38
The 'serving size' myth by John Stossel

Why should we care what sleight-of-hand a company pulls on its label when describing serving sizes? Because people worried about their health need information -- and the information on the label is all based on the serving size. Unless people take their calculators with them when they shop, it's easy to get confused.

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/JohnStossel/js20050817.shtml

This may interest some of you, guys.

In Israel (and Europe as far as I know) nutritional info is listed per 100gr and the net weight of the product is usually also listed.
runnr
Wed, Aug-17-05, 14:12
Luckily I know enough to always check this. Yes, it is blatantly ridiculous, but a lot of people buy it, hook, line and sinker.

I know one of the major criticisms of "Supersize Me" was "Well duh, people know McDonalds isn't good for you" Yet I find it amazing how poor MOST peoples nutrition knowledge is. I'm talking about fully educated people as well.

Whats the point of listing calories when a good portion of people have no idea how many they are SUPPOSED to get in a day?

So I think this occurs because it works. People know enough to start getting antsy when that calorie number goes above 500, so just mess with the serving size (and don't think that most even have a clue what the carb count suggests)
karrier
Thu, Aug-18-05, 07:09
What great info. I really never looked that hard. I will be doing a lot more looking now. I guess I will have to find a time to shop without the kids and plenty of time.
klc145
Thu, Aug-18-05, 08:29
I just have to add something about my old fav. food, Poptarts....I always knew that they weren't good for me but when I really looked at the label, I saw that the serving size was for one pastry...there are two in the little bag they come in. After that, I pitched them and I don't think I can ever go back to eat one again.
dannysk
Thu, Aug-18-05, 09:05
I once saw a giant cookie which looked pretty good until I read that the serving size was 1/4 cookie.

danny
counting in 100 grams.
LC-Laur
Thu, Aug-18-05, 14:51
HA! Very interesting. Luckily, most of us are wise enough to have figured this out looong ago.... But unfortunately, many aren't.