Label Reading

While nutrition labels may be confusing, the good news is that you really only need know a few basics to make a balanced and well informed decision on the nutritional quality of the foods you are buying.

 

Refers to how many kilojoules (and calories-remember 1 calorie = 4.2 kilojoules) is in the food. The average adult female will need roughly 6000 kJ each day and a male 8000kJ. On average cyclists can add between 800-1500kJ for every hour they spend on the bike.

 

Refers to the amount of protein the food contains. Protein is used in the body for muscle growth and repair and is likely to help keep us full. Animal based foods including meat, eggs, dairy foods as well as nuts will contain larger amounts of protein than non animal foods such as bread, biscuits, breakfast cereal, snack foods and oils. Protein recommendations differ between indi­viduals but an average adult requires 1g of protein per kilogram of body weight as a minimum in order to receive all the key nutrients they need. There is also some evidence to show that athletes may benefit from slightly higher amounts than this to support optimal immune functioning and recovery.

 

Refers to the total amount of carbo­hydrate in the food, including sugars. Carbohydrate is the main source of fuel for the muscles. One slice of bread or one piece of fruit = approximately 15g of total carbohydrate. It is difficult to es­timate exactly how much carbohydrate an individual requires as requirements differ depending on age, training load and gender. Consuming less than 100g of total carbohydrate each day though will mean that muscle mass is being broken down to be used as fuel, compro­mising metabolic rate.

 

This refers to the amount of both naturally occurring and added sugars in the product. For this reason, products that contain dried fruit may be dispro­portionately high.

 

Refers to the total amount of all types of fat in the food; saturated, trans, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. The average adult female will need just 40-60 total fat each day. Food labels must include saturated fat but may also include the other components such as trans, polyunsaturated and monounsatu­rated fat.

 

This is the type of fat that increases blood cholesterol in the body and needs to be kept low. Aim for less than three grams of saturated fat per 100g.

 

Bread, breakfast cereals and other plant based foods may also include the dietary fibre level of the product. Adults require at least 30g of total fibre each day.

 

Describes the amount of salt in the product. Adults need to aim for less than 2000mg of sodium in their diet each day. Packaged foods including noodles and savory snacks may contain up to 1000mg of sodium per serve.

 

 

• Aim for less than three grams of saturated fat per100g.

• Aim for more than three grams of total fibre per serve of bread and breakfast cereal.

• Less than three grams of fat per 100grams is a low fat product.

• Less than 10 grams of total fat per 100g is usually a good choice.

• Aim for less than 10g total fat per 100g for meat and dairy foods.

• Aim for 30-45 grams of total carbohydrates for main meals.

• Aim for 15-30g of total carbohydrates for mid meals.

• Aim for 10-20 grams of protein for main meals.

• Aim for 5-10 grams of total protein for snacks.

Most of us (cyclists) will require ap­proximately one gram of extra carbs per kilogram of body weight on rides that last longer than 90 minutes.

A nutritionally balanced food will contain a good mix of carbohydrates and protein with minimal saturated fat. Foods that contain pure carbohydrate such as gels, sports drinks and lollies will give a rapid surge of energy and a possible drop and hence should be used in the final stages of racing and training. Nut based snack products will appear exceptionally high in fat but remember it is good fat and can still be enjoyed in controlled amounts.