1. Reading Food Labels
Nutrition Unit
Lesson 5

2. Food Labels
Panel of nutrition information of all processed food regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
Must contain by law:
Name of the food
Net amount weight or volume
Name and address of manufacturer
Ingredients
Nutrient content

3. Nutrition Facts Serving Size Servings Per Container
Listing of the amount of food that is considered a serving
Determined by the FDA
Servings Per Container
Number of servings in the container/package
Multiply the calories and nutrients by the # of Servings Per Container to determine the total number of calories and nutrients in that container/package

4. Nutrition Facts Calories Calories from Fat Percent Daily Value
The number of calories in one serving of the food
Calories from Fat
The number of calories from fat grams in one serving for the food
Percent Daily Value
Portion of the daily amount of a nutrient provided by one serving
For total carbs, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, your goal = 100%
Usually based on 2000 calories per day (yours may be more or less)

5. Nutrition Facts Ingredients Total Fat
Listed by quantity, beginning with the ingredient that is present in the greatest amount
Total Fat
Number of fat grams per serving
Also may contain saturated, unsaturated, and trans fats (unsaturated is the healthier of the 3)

6. Nutrition Facts Cholesterol Sodium Important source of vitamin D
Should get cholesterol through healthy sources
Sodium
Processed foods contain more than natural foods
Small amounts needed to keep proper body fluid balance
Limit sodium intake

7. Nutrition Facts Total Carbohydrate Protein Best source of energy
Will show total amount, but also how many are from sugars and fiber
Choose foods with more fiber, less sugar
Protein
Eggs, meat, poultry, fish, milk, cheese, yogurt, nuts, and dried beans

8. Nutrition Facts Vitamins A and C and Minerals Calcium and Iron
Required on all food labels
Very important for a healthy diet
Vitamin A – eyesight, healthy skin
Vitamin C – fights infection, heal wounds
Calcium – builds healthy bones/teeth
Iron – Maintains healthy red blood cells

9. Food Additives Substances intentionally added to foods Enriched food
Nutrients, flavor, texture, color
Prevent spoilage, age quicker, taste, appearance
Enriched food
Food in which nutrients were lost during processing, but were then added back
Fortified food
Food in which nutrients are not usually found in that food
Example: adding calcium to orange juice

10. Health Claims Fat-Free Low-Fat Light or Lite Cholesterol Free
Less than .5 grams of fat per serving
Low-Fat
3 grams of fat or less per serving
Light or Lite
½ fewer calories or no more than ½ the fat or sodium of the regular version
Cholesterol Free
Less than 2 mg of cholesterol and 2 grams of fat or less of saturated fat per serving