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Food Labels for dummies
SERVING SIZE: Pay close attention to the amount listed, since what youre used to eating may be much more than the typical serving size.
SERVINGS PER PACKAGE: This is an important aspect of the food label because it gives you an idea of how many servings the package contains and how many you should be eating in one serving. It can be very misleading to consume an entire package of chips and think you are eating only one serving when in reality it may be 4 or 5.
TOTAL FAT: This section lists the total number of fat grams from all types of fat saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and trans. It is recommended that you consume no more than 30% of your calories from fat.
SATURATED FAT: This is the bad fat that has been linked to increased cholesterol levels and heart disease. The amount of saturated fat listed on the label is PART OF not in addition to the total fat in one serving. Aim to keep your saturated fat intake at less than 10% of your daily calories.
TRANS FAT: The FDA has given food manufacturers until 2006 to add this line item to their labels. However, some food manufacturers have already begun to do so. In February 2004, I Cant Believe Its Not Butter! added the trans fat line to its food labels on all the brands soft spread products that contain no trans fat per serving.
SODIUM: The label calls it sodium, but most people know it as salt. The daily intake recommended for most healthy individuals is less than 2,400 milligrams. Watch the sodium content of highly processed foods like frozen meals, condiments, and snack foods.
TOTAL CARBOHYDRATE: Total carbohydrate reveals the amount of all types of carbohydrates, both simple (sugar) and complex (starch) in a single serving of food. This can help diabetics who are using carbohydrate counting as a means of blood sugar control.
DIETARY FIBER: Fiber can play a role in lowering cholesterol and weight loss, to mention just two of its benefits. Choose foods with at least 3 grams of dietary fiber per serving, and aim for a total intake of 25 to 35 grams per
% DAILY VALUE: This column tells you the percentage one serving provides of the recommended levels of each nutrient included on the label. These values are based on estimates for someone eating a 2000-calorie eating plan and therefore, may not apply to you. Furthermore, these percentages may be about to changepay attention!
SERVING SIZE: Pay close attention to the amount listed, since what youre used to eating may be much more than the typical serving size.
SERVINGS PER PACKAGE: This is an important aspect of the food label because it gives you an idea of how many servings the package contains and how many you should be eating in one serving. It can be very misleading to consume an entire package of chips and think you are eating only one serving when in reality it may be 4 or 5.
TOTAL FAT: This section lists the total number of fat grams from all types of fat saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and trans. It is recommended that you consume no more than 30% of your calories from fat.
SATURATED FAT: This is the bad fat that has been linked to increased cholesterol levels and heart disease. The amount of saturated fat listed on the label is PART OF not in addition to the total fat in one serving. Aim to keep your saturated fat intake at less than 10% of your daily calories.
TRANS FAT: The FDA has given food manufacturers until 2006 to add this line item to their labels. However, some food manufacturers have already begun to do so. In February 2004, I Cant Believe Its Not Butter! added the trans fat line to its food labels on all the brands soft spread products that contain no trans fat per serving.
SODIUM: The label calls it sodium, but most people know it as salt. The daily intake recommended for most healthy individuals is less than 2,400 milligrams. Watch the sodium content of highly processed foods like frozen meals, condiments, and snack foods.
TOTAL CARBOHYDRATE: Total carbohydrate reveals the amount of all types of carbohydrates, both simple (sugar) and complex (starch) in a single serving of food. This can help diabetics who are using carbohydrate counting as a means of blood sugar control.
DIETARY FIBER: Fiber can play a role in lowering cholesterol and weight loss, to mention just two of its benefits. Choose foods with at least 3 grams of dietary fiber per serving, and aim for a total intake of 25 to 35 grams per
% DAILY VALUE: This column tells you the percentage one serving provides of the recommended levels of each nutrient included on the label. These values are based on estimates for someone eating a 2000-calorie eating plan and therefore, may not apply to you. Furthermore, these percentages may be about to changepay attention!
