Reading Labels

I’ve been a label reader most of my life, partly because I have always been an avid reader of everything. When I was in college and really started paying attention to nutrition, I read every label on every food item I purchased. Very educational to know what is in the can or the box. Sometimes it isn’t too complicated but other times I wondered why some of the items were included. I stopped buying products with ingredients I didn’t understand. After a while, I switched to making most meals from ‘scratch.’

Some people are more focused on clothing labels or automobile labels. Is it from the right store/designer? Does it convey the right message of your net worth? Or the message of your success? I never really cared too much about this type of label, but still, they are important to quite a few people.

Lately the government has gotten very involved in the production of labels. Or, rather, the wording on labels. We need to know the country of origin for our produce and meats, calories and details of nutrition, and on our autos, where each part is made and where assembled. These labels aren’t the only ones. Everything has a label now from phones to computers to sofas and flooring, everything. And oh my goodness, the labeling for cigarettes. So glad I don’t smoke. I can’t imagine using a product that tells me I will die if I use it.

Anyway, I am glad I read labels but could get along with much less information. It has become too scary.