Figuring Out Food Labels

Use nutrition facts to make informed choices about food.

Have you ever looked at a packaged food item that had a food label you just couldn’t understand? Food labels are tough to decipher, with terms and sections that can be overwhelming. The tips and tricks will help you make an informed choice on whether a food product is healthy or not.

It is important to note that food products are all different depending on the food category they are in, for instance fruit has a higher level of sugar yet is still healthy because of the vitamins it contains. In comparison, candy also have high sugar levels, but is not healthy because it is also in fat and sodium and contains no nutrients.img_8094

It is easiest to read the label top to bottom, starting with the serving size. Then, look at the “calories” and “calories from fat.” Calories indicate the quantity of energy that is obtained from the food. This section is very important if you are trying to maintain or lose weight. As a general rule of thumb for a 2000 calorie diet, a food product around 50 calories is low, 100 calories is normal and 500 or more is high. Underneath the “% Daily Value*” is the general suggestion of intake for each key nutrient for a 2000 calorie diet.img_8198

The following section, which includes the percentage of nutrients in the food, is important because high intake of saturated and trans fats can increase the chance of diseases such as coronary heart disease and cancers. Saturated fats increase cholesterol levels, but trans fats are naturally found in food. Therefore it is important to choose food products that are low in saturated fats. In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, the percentages in this section must remain as low as possible. Contrastingly, some nutrients like fibre, protein, vitamins, calcium and iron are vital for your health for different reasons.img_8125

A quick summary:

  • Cholesterol is important to produce Vitamin C but too much of it can cause arteries to clot and cause a heart attack.
  • Sodium is a salt that is vital for fluid balance but high quantities can cause high blood pressure.
  • Dietary Fiber decreases cholesterol levels and is necessary for regular bowel movements
  • Protein is necessary to maintain energy levels.
  • Vitamin A is vital for eyesight and healthy skin.
  • Vitamin C repairs and rebuilds tissue in order for our bodies to heal.
  • Calcium is necessary to maintain healthy bones and teeth.
  • Iron helps the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body.

Tip: “Reduced Fat” has 25% or less fat than the normal product would, while “Light” indicates that 50% of the fat is reduced and “Low Fat” is a product that has 3 grams or less of fat per serving.

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Summer Fabrics Guide

Finding outfits made of these fabrics may seem like a challenge, but there are many fashionable looks on the market that can suit any occasion and will make your summers fresh, fun and effortless.

Are you spending a long time in front of your wardrobe choosing what to wear in hopes to avoid sweating? Choosing what to wear during the hot months of the summer can be difficult. Nevertheless, keeping it cool during the tropical temperatures is possible by following these easy steps:

  • Wear loose fabrics: summer is the perfect opportunity for dresses
  • Opt in for light-coloured fabrics: white textiles allow for less-visible sweat while dark colours absorb the sunlight and make you feel warmer.
  • Choose clothes with lace inserts: as they allow air-flow and keep you cool
  • Wear textiles such as: linen, cotton, chambray and silk/chiffon

Linen:

Linen is a natural fibre that allows airflow because of the way it is loosely weaved together. Linen is a favoured summer fabric because of how lightly it falls on the skin.
Although linen wrinkles, ironing or hanging your clothes is the key to a carefree summer wardrobe.683882_bk_pp

Cotton:

Much like linen, cotton is perfect for the summer because it permits airflow through the fibres, which allows a light, breezy feeling on the skin.
Be careful! Cotton shrinks in the dryer.talitha

Silk/Chiffon:

For the stylish summer, chiffon and 100% silk are your best bet. The flowing, light feeling of the clothes allows for air to reach the skin and keep it cool.
Be careful when choosing silk clothing, as only 100% silk allows airflow but fabric blends do not.talitha-

For the love of summer! Opt in for Chambray instead of Jeans

Chambray is a woven textile that is made out of cotton, a breathable fabric. Chambray thereby allows a light feeling on the skin, because of the finer weaving.
Proper jeans can be thick and heavy, preventing proper circulation of air, whereas chambray allows airflow.just-female-blue-line-chambray-shift-dress-product-1-19281492-2-850839430-normal

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All Dressed Up for Eid Festivities

With the celebratory period of Eid comes the excitement of purchasing new clothing items to wear to various occasions. Worried about what to buy? This guide will point you to the trendiest, newest styles that you can purchase. These vast options ensure that you can easily change up your style for the festive evenings. Thethobes are no longer a traditional costume; instead they have become artworks used to symbolize your ever-changing style.

Compliment with ornaments:

Ornaments are a great transition into a new, fun wardrobe, as they subtly spice up your otherwise ordinary dress. While maintaining the basic shapes of the thobe, embellishments transform your wardrobe because of the simple yet playful additions that contribute colour and movement. These ornaments are a great compromise between being bold and being traditional, which is perfect if you are not ready to take the leap into the contemporary thobe.

Instagram: dh_jalabia


Modern minimalism in traditional clothing:  

For a luxurious traditional look, Razan is your go-to. Although the basic dress shapes of the thobe are at the core, Razan adds colour, textiles and jewels subtly to adapt the traditional dress to modern culture, creating the best of both worlds. She also uses geometric shapes and patterns that harmonise to create a visually appealing and strong dress.

Instagram: razanalazzouni

Our signature kaftans are back! #RazanAlazzouni #Signature #Pearl #Kaftan for inquiries contact sales@razanalazzouni.com

A photo posted by Razan Alazzouni (@razanalazzouni) on

Go out on a Limb for Boho Chic:

Jasmine box is a contemporary store that thrives due to their modern-day patterns and styles. The beautiful basic shape of the thobe is used, but various prints, colours and textiles create a different dimension to the thobe entirely. These styles blow you away because of their distinctive, trendy, boho vibes that transform the traditional dress. The newest trends of fashion are further introduced to the thobe, such as the “off-the-shoulder” look, that modernises the cannon of the thobe.

Instagram: jasminebox


An element of surprise:

Another great way to modernise the traditional dress is through adding a pop of colour. Combining complimentary colours or pastels is the new hit, which is why Bedia Thobes is the perfect place to go. This basic look evokes beauty because of the plainness of the fabric that draws your eye to the bold colour. Other modern styles are included in the designs, such as special sleeves, pockets, tie-dye etc.

Instagram: bedia_thobes

https://www.instagram.com/p/BGJ1vocJhqB/

Fresh, fun, funk:

Cream Jeddah is a boutique located in Stars Avenue, which hosts many different brands and styles of clothing. Its modern, funky flare is befitting for gatherings where you want to show off your adventurous fashion sense. The thobes’ colourful prints are the perfect opportunity to add character to your wardrobe, because nothing says summer fun better than colour.

Instagram: creamjeddah

Now on sale ❤️ click on #summer16atcream to see more of the items that are discounted.

A photo posted by Dana Malhas Ghandour (@creamjeddah) on

For the unconventional:

Homegrown Market is a store that includes a vast amount of creative items including clothing, houseware, jewellery etc. that are created by many brands, such as Lasuna Clothing. Although there are many different styles that can be found at Homegrown, they are all lively, modern and unique. You can find anything from plain, to floral patterned, to embroidered thobes. This is the perfect place to go if you are looking for a contemporary store with new styles to spruce up your wardrobe.

Instagram: homegrown_market

https://www.instagram.com/p/BG9G8UZrmQK/

Be unique, be you:

Nagla Ezzat is a new up and coming designer, who has a great talent for fashioning festive Eid-wear. Her dresses are unique to each individual, which creates a sense of strength in individuality among the masses. Colour and pattern blocking are new trends that Nagla successfully embodies in her designs, as her dresses demonstrate harmony and beauty. The designs evoke happiness because of the modernised traditional dress that reminds us of the celebratory period of Eid. Nagla is your go-to if you wish for clothing that is personal and unique.

Instagram: naglaezzat
Mob: +966-569248048

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