HOW TO READ A NUTRITION LABEL MJ TOMPKINS NUTRITION 1 12.05.14

Nutrition labels Almost all foods Not usually found on fresh produce Regulated by the FDA Typical nutrition facts label

serving size Pay attention: Likely that portion is not entire product Keep in mind: If eating 2 servings, everything else on the list is doubled This includes: calories, fat, vitamins, etc

Check out those cals Calorie content is important, especially if watching weight Also, pay attention to calories from fat

LOOK AT DAILY VALUES Will be in percentiles They will show how much this product fills your needs for the day on a percent-basis TIP: These percents are base on a 2,000 kcals/day diet!

HIGH & LOW OF DV Low daily value: 5% or less Total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium High daily value: 20% or higher All vitamins, minerals, fiber *These recommendations are due to the associations of certain health problems fat, cholesterol and sodium, and the benefits of higher consumption of vitamins, minerals, fiber

Why are these chosen vitamins and minerals here?

public health concern These micronutrients are considered a public health concern Significant part of the population deficient in these Explains why MyPlate diagram has dairy and not water FDA wants to promote calcium

WHY DOESN’T PROTEIN HAVE A DAILY VALUE?

WE ARE SUFFICIENT Most Americans get more than they need FDA does not want to promote that there is a recommended requirement

Let’s recap! Calories Serving size Daily values: How do they relate? Daily values: What is considered high and what is considered low? What should be high versus low? Name one micronutrient of public health concern Explain why protein does not have a daily value

References The Basics of the Nutrition Facts Panel. (2013, January 1). Retrieved December 4, 2014, from http://www.eatright.org/public/content.aspx?id=10935 My Plate on Campus. (n.d.). Retrieved December 4, 2014, from http://www.choosemyplate.gov/