Understanding food labels

[TimUs]

Hello, I am a 22 year old, 180 pound male.
Trying to find help to understand some things.
I burn about 2300, or so, calories daily.

I want to have a lifestyle change.

I know saturated fat is what I really must stay away from.
But, I heard that Monosaturated fat is an easier type to burn away.
Is that true?

Also, I want to know, out of each thing on the nutrition label, what I should keep high, and what I should keep low.
I really don't know much about it.
But I try to stay away from pre-cooked, pre-packaged foods.

But, please, if you can help me, I would greatly appreciate it!

Also, on the subject of sodium, how hard is it to wash the salt out of my body? (Or how long does it take for it to leave the body?)

Thank you!

 

[docdoom77]

That's a pretty big question and hard to answer without knowing more about your goals and what kind of exercising you do.

that being said, keep your protien high and your carbs and fat at moderate levels. stay away from sugars where possible and refined breads. try to get a good amount of dietary fiber in as well (25 - 30 grams).

 

[slinsane]

Actually they are finding saturated fats are not as bad as once thought. Keep in mind cholesterol is on of the foundational building blocks that makes up most cell membranes. Coconut oil is a great saturated fat which also has lots of mct's