 Interpret nutritional facts  Identify healthful food choices at fast food restaurants  Expand our nutrition vocabulary  View a food label and be able to identify the different components of that food label.

 With a partner please discuss the following questions.  Where do you see food labels?  What information is provided on a food label?  Why are food labels important?  List people who would definitely benefit from reading food labels before they buy items.

 Consumer- Anyone who buys products or services  Wise consumers know how to get the facts they need about health products and services.  Most packaged foods are required to have food labels  Food labels provide nutritional information and list ingredients to help consumers make healthful choices

 By studying a food label, you can determine the amount of saturated fat, cholesterol, and dietary fiber a serving size of a food or beverage contains  It can also help you compare similar foods and beverages

 EXPLORE THE FOOD LABEL EXAMPLE WITH A PARTNER.

 Serving size- the amount of food considered to be a portion.  This is meant to reflect the amount of food or beverage that most people consume  Amount per serving- lists the # of calories in one serving, as well as the # of calories from fat in one serving

 Percent daily value- the portion of the daily value of a nutrient provided by one serving of a food or beverage.  The amount of the nutrient needed each day for optimal health

 Trans fat- solid fats produced artificially by heating liquid vegetable oils together with metal catalysts and hydrogen  They are used to harden veg. oils into shortening and margarine.  They appear on food labels because of concern they may increase risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

 List of nutrients- food labels list the nutrients the food contains and the % daily value for each  Daily values / calories footnote- the footnote about percent daily value provides the amount of each nutrient needed each day based on a daily diet of 2,000 and 2,500 calories

 Vitamins and minerals- vitamin A, vitamin C, Calcium, and Iron are the only vitamins and minerals that must appear on food labels.

 What are your favorite fast food restaurants?  How often do you eat fast food?  How can you eat healthy at a fast food restaurant?

 Consider the ratio of nutrients to calories  Limit the amount of fat.  Choose steamed, grilled or broiled foods rather than fried foods  Choose salad with fat-free dressing  Choose fresh vegetables and fruits to get servings from these food groups  Drink water instead of sugary soft drinks or high fat milk-shakes

 Try fish or chicken, especially grilled or broiled  Go easy or avoid toppings such as mayonnaise, cheese, bacon, sauces and dressings  Beware of words that signal fat and calories such as: buttery, gravy and creamed

 Add vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers to sandwiches and pizza  Avoid oversized portions. Jumbo, supreme, and super sizes may have twice the fat and calories of regular items  Skip high calorie desert. Look for lighter choices such as fruit or low fat yogurt.

 A can of soda contains 150 calories.  How many calories would a person save by replacing two sodas a day with 2 bottles of water. (water has 0 calories)  How many calories would this person save per week?