5.2: The Food label

The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act made it a law that foods sold in the United States have a food label that provides the accurate contents of nutrients within them. This label is called a Nutrition Facts panel, which gives information on the number of servings per container, the number of calories per serving, and certain nutrients. Specifically, it lists the macronutrients and four of the most important micronutrients people need to pay special attention to, such as Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, and potassium.

The Nutrition Facts panel not only tells you about the nutritional content of the product, but it also allows you to compare products. Because the serving sizes are included on the label, you can see how much each nutrient is in each serving. Knowing how to read the label is important because of the way some foods are presented. For example, a package of mixed nuts may seem like a healthy snack to eat on the way to class. However, it is important to look at that label before you decide. Does it contain one serving or multiple servings? Unless you are buying the individual serving packages, chances are the bag you picked up provides multiple servings. Always check the food label to evaluate total calories, fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamin, and sodium content. The percent DV (daily value) is the nutrient’s percentage in the food about its recommended intake. It is a guide to determine if a food is a good or poor source of nutrients.

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