What is the price per ounce or unit for the item? At most stores, this information is displayed on the shelf edge sign. Bigger packaging doesn't always mean better value.
When does it expire? If you don’t check the expiration date on dairy products, sooner or later you’ll wish you had. At least dairy products have a way of telling us when they’re old. Other foods may just be slightly off, or in the case of vitamins and other supplements, just plain useless.
What’s in it? If they were honest, many fruit drinks would have pictures of sugar cubes or corn syrup bottles on the sides instead of all those healthy looking fruits. "Wheat" bread isn’t necessarily 100 percent whole wheat. You might be surprised what you’re really getting for your money when you start reading the labels. A cornerstone of Clean Eating is examining and deciphering ingredient labels to understand your food better.
What will it contribute to your nutrition? Some protein bars aren’t much different nutritionally from candy bars. Two loaves of bread sitting side by side on the shelf can have vastly different fiber, calorie and other nutritional counts. Check it out - again, reading labels. It's ok to consume a high fat food that contributes to your machine. It's not ok to consume something that provides little to no nutritional advantage.
Where does it come from? All imports to the United States must meet FDA standards. Nevertheless, the FDA cannot inspect every item that comes into the country, so use your own judgment. Also, there may be countries with traditionally poor track records for wholesome manufacturing processes...you will want to avoid foods from those countries.
Thanks, redplum.com
