Nutrition Labels: What do they mean?

Serving Size: How much food is in ONE portion. How many servings are in ONE package

2) Calories: Calories are units of energy. You should eat 2 2) Calories: Calories are units of energy. You should eat 2.000 calories in one day. Eating too many calories will make you gain weight

3) Calories from Fat: only 25% of your calories should come from fat 3) Calories from Fat: only 25% of your calories should come from fat. **You should only eat 500 calories from fat in one day

Total Fat: A certain amount of fat is necessary for development, especially during puberty when the body grows very quickly. • Fats are also needed to absorb important vitamins, like vitamins A, D, E, and K • Fat helps insulates the body to keep it warm • Fat helps protect the nerve cells.

Saturated Fat and Trans Fat -increase heart disease -both of these fats are SOLID (like butter) -Trans fat are usually in packaged food and fried food Trans and saturated food are MUCH worse than normal fat

Cholesterol -We need some but not a lot! -Too much cholesterol can cause heart disease

Sodium – amount of salt Most food has sodium because it makes food taste better. Too much sodium = high blood pressure

Carbohydrates: most of our calories should be from carbohydrates. The best carbohydrates come from fruits and vegetables , then cereals and grains

Fiber: this helps keep your digestive system healthy!

Often, sugar is “empty calories” Sugar: Be careful! Often, sugar is “empty calories” When food makers put LESS fat into food, they put MORE sugar (so the food tastes good)

Proteins: You need this to build your body!

These we should LIMIT: Saturated Fat Trans Fat Cholesterol Calories from Fat Sodium Sugar Fat

We should eat A LOT: Protein Carbohydrates Vitamins

Beans

Carrots

Apples

Big Mac- McDonalds

Burger King Double Whopper with Cheese