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Low-Carb Labels May Confuse More Than Educate

by Brandon on Wed Sep 08, 2010 6:26 am
Sept. 7, 2010 -- People often misinterpret product claims of low-carbohydrate content on the front of packages, believing the foods are healthy and will help them manage their weight, a study shows.

The result, researchers say, is that many busy people buy products that they think are better for them than they really are.

The researchers used an online questionnaire to gather data from 4,320 people about perceived healthfulness of foods and their ability to manage weight, based only on front-of-package claims.

The investigators found that "low-carbohydrate claims led to more favorable perceptions about products' helpfulness for weight management, healthfulness and caloric content."

But the study also found that the perceptions of people who read labels on the backs of packages, called Nutrition Facts panels, "became more consistent with the nutrition profile" of products, allowing them to make more informed choices.
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