Why aWhy a

it is a source of consumer educationit is a source of consumer education it is mandatoryit is mandatory food statements must meet FDA/USDA food statements must meet FDA/USDA

definitionsdefinitions health claims and affects of diet on health claims and affects of diet on

healthhealth makes comparison of products easymakes comparison of products easy helps you balance food choiceshelps you balance food choices

FOOD LABELS AND FOOD LABELS AND THE NUTRITION FACTSTHE NUTRITION FACTS

all foods have all foods have pros pros ++ and cons and cons --

look at the total look at the total label for the total label for the total picture picture

can find 14 pieces can find 14 pieces of informationof information

1. SERVING SIZES1. SERVING SIZES must give the must give the

servings size in a servings size in a consistent realistic consistent realistic household and household and metric measuresmetric measures

uniform across uniform across product linesproduct lines

sizes are close to sizes are close to amount people eatamount people eat

Nutrition FactsServing Size 1 cup (228g)

Servings Per Container 2

* 28g = 1oz.

* 1g = 1,000mg•~total servings per container are listed

2. INGREDIENTS2. INGREDIENTS listed in listed in

descending order descending order of weightof weight

required on most required on most foodsfoods

sources of some sources of some will be stated by will be stated by name to help name to help people better people better identify ingredientsidentify ingredients

3. % of NUTRITION 3. % of NUTRITION BASEBASE

is a footnote that is is a footnote that is on all labelson all labels

the % of daily values the % of daily values are based on a 2,000 are based on a 2,000 calorie dietcalorie diet

this is based on this is based on current dietary current dietary guidanceguidance

facilitating the basics facilitating the basics of planning a good of planning a good dietdiet

4. Key Nutrients 4. Key Nutrients (+)(+) choose products with a choose products with a

higher % of daily value higher % of daily value from the from the key nutrientskey nutrients

nutrients with over nutrients with over 10% 10% Daily ValueDaily Value are are considered good sources considered good sources

•dietary fiber•protein•Vitamin A•calcium•vitamin C•iron

key important nutrients are:

Reasons the Six Key Reasons the Six Key NutrientsNutrients* *

are Good for Your Healthare Good for Your Health protein (5g or more): body cell protein (5g or more): body cell growthgrowth

dietary fiber: regulation of digestiondietary fiber: regulation of digestion vitamin A: night visionvitamin A: night vision vitamin C: healing of tissuevitamin C: healing of tissue iron: health bloodiron: health blood calcium: strong bones and teethcalcium: strong bones and teeth

nutrients* that relate to health concerns as heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis

5. Excessive Nutrients 5. Excessive Nutrients

too much can cause health problemstoo much can cause health problems eat in moderationeat in moderation

•over 200 calories is too many

•10 % or more of fat, cholesterol, and sodium is excessive

SUMMARYSUMMARY• in order to“get the total picture” when reading a food label, one needs to understand the complete label, not just one portion, in order to make an informed decision about the planned daily food intake

•use the % of Daily Value to quickly compare foods and understand how the serving fits into a 2,000 calorie diet

•plan a daily menu to meet the % Daily Value to help one eat a balanced diet

•the nutritions should = 100% of the key nutrition for a health daily menu plan

•avoid buying and consuming foods with excessive nutrition's

…With this new “tool” one’s decision making related to nutrition food intake and purchasing is made easier.

Good nutrition eating!