How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label
Become a smart shopper by reading food labels to find out more about the foods you eat. The Nutrition Facts panel found on most food labels will help you:
- Find out which foods are good sources of nutrients
- Compare similar foods to find out which one is lower in fat and calories
- Search for low-sodium foods
- Look for foods that are low in saturated fat and trans fats
A Quick Guide to Reading the Nutrition Facts Label
- Start with the Serving Size
- Look for both the serving size (the amount for one serving), and the number of servings in the package
- Remember to check your portion size to the serving size listed on the label. If the label serving size is one cup, and you eat two cups, you are getting twice the calories, fat and other nutrients listed on the label.
- Check Out the Total Calories and Fat
- Find out how many calories are in a single serving and the number of calories from fat. It’s smart to cut back on calories and fat if you are watching your weight!
- Check Out the Nutrients such as fiber and sugar content
- Fiber: Try to aim for higher fiber foods
- Sugar Content: Try to aim low added sugar
- Try to eat more vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron to maintain good health and help reduce your risk of certain health problems such as osteoporosis and anemia.
- Check out the daily values
- Daily Values are average levels of nutrients for a person eating 2,000 calories a day. A food item with a 5% DV means 5% of the amount of fat that a person consuming 2,000 calories a day would eat.
- Remember: percent DV are for the entire day — not just for one meal or snack.
- The High and Low of Daily Values
- 5 percent or less is low — try to aim low in total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium
- 20 percent or more is high — try to aim high in vitamins, minerals and fiber
Nutrition Goals
Limit Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium
Eating less of these nutrients may help reduce your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer:
- Total fat includes saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat. Limit to 100% DV or less per day.
- Saturated fat and trans fat are linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
- Sodium — high levels can add up to high blood pressure.
- Remember to aim low for % DV of these Nutrients.
Check the Ingredient List
Foods with more than one ingredient must have an ingredient list on the label. Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. Those in the largest amounts are listed first. Effective January 2006, manufacturers are required to clearly state if food products contain any ingredients that contain protein derived from the eight major allergenic foods. These foods are milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans.
What Health Claims on Food Labels Really Mean
FDA has strict guidelines on how certain food label terms can be used. Some of the most common claims seen on food packages:
- Low calorie — Less than 40 calories per serving.
- Low cholesterol — Less than 20 mg of cholesterol and 2 gm or less of saturated fat per serving.
- Reduced — 25% less of the specified nutrient or calories than the usual product.
- Good source of — Provides at least 10% of the DV of a particular vitamin or nutrient per serving.
- Calorie free — Less than 5 calories per serving.
- Fat free / sugar free — Less than 1⁄2 gram of fat or sugar per serving.
- Low sodium — Less than 140 mg of sodium per serving.
- High in — Provides 20% or more of the Daily Value of a specified nutrient per serving.
- High fiber — 5 or more grams of fiber per serving.
FDA also sets standards for health-related claims on food labels to help consumers identify foods that are rich in nutrients and may help to reduce their risk for certain diseases. For example, health claims may highlight the link between calcium and osteoporosis, fiber and calcium, heart disease and fat or high blood pressure and sodium.