1. Reading Food Labels

2. Food Label
A food label is a panel of nutrition information in all processed foods regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

3. Nutritional Facts
The title of each food label will always say “Nutrition Facts”

4. What is a calorie?
unit of energy: a unit of energy, originally defined as the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 g of pure water by 1º C.

5. Food Label Requirements
Food labels are required on everything except: fresh fruits and vegetables, food in restaurants, food sold by vendors, bakery, deli, and candy products, spices, fresh coffee and tea, and fresh meats.
Fruits and Vegetables do not require food labels.

6. Ingredients
Ingredients (what the food is made up of) must be listed on the food label. Ingredients will go in order from the main ingredient, to the least used ingredient.

7. What is the main ingredient?

8. Listing “Trans Fat”
While some foods may claim to have 0g of Trans Fat, you must read the food label to learn the truth. Trans Fat will be listed as “partially hydrogenated oils”
Companies can claim 0g Trans fat when the amount is below .5g

9. Percent Daily Value*
Percent Daily Values are listed as percentages on food labels, based on a diet of 2,000 calories

10. Calories
A person receives calories from protein, carbohydrates, and fats
Calories per Gram
1g Protein= 4 calories
1g Carbohydrates= 4 calories
1g Fats= 9 calories

11. Food Additives Food additives are substances added to food
Additives may add nutrients, flavor, texture, or color
Many additives improve taste and appearance, also prevent spoilage
There are over 300 different additives that can be used

12. Organic Foods Organic foods are foods that do not use additives
They are more “natural” and closer to the type of foods your grandparents ate as kids

13. Check Dates
Always be sure to check the dates, if listed, so see if the food has gone bad
Never use a product after its “expiration date”, try to use it by its “best if used by date”, and never buy a product after its “sell by” date

14. Health Tips Always look at serving size
Try to eat under 70 grams of sugar a day