Watch out for misleading labels…

Now that the Atkins Diet has more or less gone 100% mainstream, dozens of vendors are jumping on the low-carb bandwagon. Don’t get me wrong, I think this is a Good Thing, but quite a few companies are relying on their marketing department to design their labels and nutritional datasheets. Even tried and true respected companies that have been producting low-carb foods for years have started to modify their labeling and marketing technique.

For example, some products may tout “0 sugar carbs” in bold letters on the front of the package but only reveal in the fine print on the back that the product has a few grams of net carbs. Even worse is avertising low net carbs per serving on the front of the package and then revealing on the back of the package that one serving is rediculously small. Sure, companies have been doing this for years, but I’ve noticed an upwards trend over the past six months or so.

Either way, before purchasing any food item for a specialized diet, be sure to read the front, back, and fine print of the label to make sure it’s the appropriate product for your needs.