North Dakota has the 15th highest obesity rate in the nation.
Lowering that number has a lot to do with where it all begins — the grocery store.
It starts in the grocery store, but you have to look closely because according to a dietitian at Trinity Health, it’s all in the labels.
She says taking a good look at what’s in your food is a good place to start when battling rising obesity rates.
“Let’s take a peak at pasta,” said Sandra Horob, Trinity Health Director of Nutrition.
Before you grab just any pasta off the shelf, take a moment…
“Let’s try a whole grain pasta,” said Horob.
And look at the label.
“Serving size and calories I think are the first things to look at,” said Horob.
“It’s all about education to learn something and that’s what I’m here for,” said Milton Rolle, Grocery Store Tourist.
Milton is diabetic and he says that looking at the label is even more important for him.
“I need to know some of these things in more detail,” said Rolle.
Some of those products that promote low fat or even fat free might be leaving out some details on the front of the package.
According to Horob, many times those foods add more carbohydrates or starches.
“This fat free ranch has 6 grams of carbohydrate. This light ranch has 3 grams of carbohydrates,” said Horob.
So, before you grab just any package off the shelf take a look because you might be surprised at what you find.
According to state of obesity.org North Dakota in 1990 had an obseity rate of just over 11 percent.
Then in the 2000’s we saw that number start to climb and reach about 20 percent.
That number kept climbing and in 2017 the obseity rate is just below 32 percent.
So, paying closer attention to the labels and watching for the calories and serving size, we can be putting a lot healthier foods into our bodies.
