- RetireHub
- Posts
- Reading Food Labels: What to Look For Now
Reading Food Labels: What to Look For Now
Trivia: What 1980s movie features the quote: “Nobody puts Baby in a corner”?
RetireHub
June 13, 2025
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Friday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing smart tips on reading food labels: what to look for now, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
Booked your flights. Reserved the hotel. Don’t forget to pack Peace of Mind. If the worst happens while traveling, Medjet provides its members with air medical transport to a hospital of their choice AT HOME. Enroll before you go!
Top Deals From Around The Web
We find the best daily online deals so you don’t have to!
☕ $3 OFF – Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee (22 oz Bag)
Enjoy barista-quality coffee at home with this smooth and aromatic blend of Arabica and Robusta beans. Lavazza’s Super Crema offers a velvety crema and rich flavor—ideal for espresso machines or drip brewers. A must-have for your morning ritual.
🔥 $7 OFF – MARNUR Large 12″×24″ Heating Pad (4 Heat Settings, 2‑Hour Auto Shut‑Off) Soothe aches and warm up fast with this ultra-soft flannel heating pad. Choose from four heat levels for moist or dry therapy, enjoy energy-saving auto shut-off, and easily clean it with a detachable controller—perfect for cozy evenings or post-walk relief.
🎮 $8 OFF – GameSir G7 Wired Game Controller for Xbox & PC
Upgrade your gaming setup with this high-performance wired controller featuring Hall-effect joysticks, responsive triggers, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Designed for Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, it’s plug-and-play ready for hours of immersive fun.
What We’re Reading
Get these e-book deals before they’re gone.
 | By: Jonathan Maas Dr. James Chenda is a cautious suburban academic whose ordinary life begins to unravel after a chance encounter with two flirtatious strangers one night. A single impulsive moment sets off a chain of events that entangles him in a dangerous web of shadowy forces he doesn’t fully understand. With his child’s safety at stake and no clear path to law enforcement, James must navigate the criminal underworld himself to survive. |
On this day in 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark ruling in Miranda v. Arizona, establishing that suspects must be informed of their rights before police questioning. The now-famous “You have the right to remain silent…” warning forever changed how law enforcement interacts with citizens — and has since become a staple in countless TV shows and movies.
Reading Food Labels: What to Look For Now
Understanding food labels is one of the easiest ways to make smarter choices at the grocery store—and it’s gotten even more important as new nutrition research continues to evolve. Here's a guide to what matters most today:
1. Serving Size Comes First
Everything on a label—calories, fat, sugar—is based on the specified serving size. If the package holds two servings but you eat it all, you’re doubling what it tells you. Compare the serving size to how much you actually eat, not just what the label says.
2. Calories and Calories from Fat
While calories are still the simplest way to gauge energy intake, the old “calories from fat” line is being phased out by the FDA because fat quality matters more than quantity. Instead, prioritize labels that show grams of saturated fat, which have a greater impact on heart health.
3. Fats—Go for Unsaturated
Skip packages high in saturated fat (like those with butter or palm oil). Look instead for healthy fats from olive oil, nuts, or seeds. Ideally, the saturated fat number should be low compared to total fat—especially if the food is prepackaged.
4. Added Sugars vs. Total Sugars
Labels now differentiate between natural sugars (like those in fruit yogurt) and added sugars (extra sweeteners manufacturers sneak in). Aim for products with five grams or less of added sugar—about a teaspoon—per serving.
5. Fiber is Your Friend
Dietary fiber helps digestion, stabilizes blood sugar, and boosts fullness. A good rule? Choose foods with at least 3 grams of fiber per serving—especially in cereals, breads, and snacks.
6. Protein by the Gram
High-protein products can be satisfying and help maintain muscle mass. Check the grams per serving, and balance it against total calories—protein should ideally be a significant part of the calorie count.
7. Ingredients—Fewer Is Better
Skip unknown additives and chemicals. As a rule of thumb: if it doesn’t sound like food, don’t eat it. Look for whole food ingredients—think “oats, pecans, raisins” instead of unpronounceable preservatives.
8. Micronutrients That Matter
Beyond vitamins and minerals, pay attention to things like potassium, calcium, and vitamin D—especially if you’re managing blood pressure or bone health. These are often found in dairy, fortified milks, leafy greens, and beans.
9. Watch for “Reduced” or “Light” Misconceptions
“Low-fat” doesn’t always mean low-calorie. “Reduced sugar” may still contain a significant amount. Always check the actual numbers instead of relying solely on marketing claims.
10. Expiration Date vs. Quality Date
“Sell by,” “best by,” and “use by” labels are more about peak quality than safety. Use your senses—smell, appearance, taste—to guide decisions, especially when food has passed a printed date.
By focusing on real ingredients, healthy fats, fiber, and honest sugar counts—and understanding what serving size really means—you can shop more confidently and nourish your body more effectively.
🥫 How Closely Do You Read Food Labels? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: Which of these national parks would you love to explore?
Looks like our readers are true nature lovers! With 27% having already explored a national park and raving about the experience, the spirit of adventure is alive and well. Yellowstone took the top spot among bucket list parks, with its iconic geysers and roaming bison drawing 21% of the votes. Acadia and the Great Smoky Mountains tied for next most dreamy destinations, proving that peaceful trails and coastal views still charm the heart. And for a small but cozy few, nothing beats a warm cabin and a good documentary!
TOP COMMENTS
“The Grand Canyon and The Great Smoky Mountains are calling me, but I'll stick to a cozy cabin and nature trails.”
“Bucket list item is to visit all of the National Parks. They all have their own beauty and it would be such a treat to get to experience them all.”
“I love our National Parks. I’ve been to at least 25 of them. My goal is to see them ALL. The problem is I want to return to many of them I have already visited. They are beautiful, majestic.”
Crafting Clarity: Declutter Your Supplies for Creative Freedom
If your crafting space feels more cluttered than calming, it might be time for a refresh. Clearing out unused materials and limiting how much you keep can help you regain control and enjoy your creative time more fully. Thoughtful storage solutions and organizing supplies by category bring order and ease to your crafting routine. Focusing on finishing one project at a time—not juggling many unfinished ones—can keep your space tidy and your creativity flowing. Creating a clean, inspiring environment makes crafting even more enjoyable.
Follow us on Social Media!
Join an online community thriving in retirement! Find us on:
Every day we post retirement tips, highlights from our newsletter so you can comment and discuss in the community, and some fun retirement-themed motivation!
Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Booyah
Meaning: "Booyah" is a slang term used to express excitement, triumph, or a big success—like saying “Yes!” or “Got it!” with extra flair.
In a sentence: “After finally fixing her stubborn garden fence all by herself, Margaret threw up her hands and exclaimed, ‘Booyah! Who needs the grandkids when I’ve got this kind of power?’”
Good News of the Day
Ginger Root May Block Cancer Cells’ Energy Source, New Study Finds
A recent study from Osaka Metropolitan University reveals that a compound in kencur ginger, ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EMC), disrupts a newly discovered energy pathway in cancer cells. Unlike traditional treatments targeting glycolysis, EMC inhibits fatty acid synthesis, effectively starving tumor cells. This discovery not only sheds light on cancer cell metabolism but also highlights the potential of natural substances like ginger in cancer therapy. While more research is needed, this finding opens new avenues for alternative treatments and underscores the importance of exploring natural compounds in medical research.
Other Publications We Like
Check out these other email newsletters we think you’ll enjoy!
RetireHub Trivia
Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
What popular 1960s musical group originally called themselves “The New Yardbirds”? |
Which 1950s invention is known as the first practical commercial computer? |
What 1980s movie features the quote: “Nobody puts Baby in a corner”? |
A QUICK ASK: First off, thank you for reading RetireHub every day. It fills our cup that so many thousands of people get joy from our little publication.
As you know, good content costs money. In order to continue supporting ourselves and to continue delivering the content you enjoy every day, we need to pay our writers. If you can, we ask you to subscribe to our paid account (for $5/month - less than a cup of coffee!) below.
If you choose to purchase a paid subscription, please know you’re supporting not only our publication, but tens of thousands of other 50+ year old Americans that get joy, entertainment, financial tips, and more from RetireHub every single day.
If you don’t join the paid plan (or can’t), no worries at all. We know times are tough. Thank you for being a part of our tiny, joyful part of the Internet.
- Jay
**RetireHub may receive affiliate compensation for links clicked within this newsletter.
***RetireHub may share poll results with advertisers.