Label Reading Health 9 – Nutrition

Label Reading Understanding labels can help people choose healthy drinks that are lower in sugar and higher in nutrients. Look at the following when reading nutrition labels on drinks 1) Ingredient List 2) Nutrition Facts Table 1) Look at the grams of sugar 2) Look at the % Daily Value for vitamins and minerals

Ingredient List Look at the ingredient list to see if sugar has been added to products. Ingredients are listed by weight. Therefore, the first one or two ingredients are the largest in the drink. Any ingredient that ends in “ose” is a sugar; such as glucose, fructose, dextrose, maltose etc. Which product contains added sugar?

Product A does not have sugar as an ingredient, while Product B contains sugar, glucose and fructose. Therefore, Product B contains added sugar. The Nutrition Facts table on a drink container or food package indicates the amount of total sugars (which includes both naturally occurring sugar plus added sugars). Use the Nutrition Facts table to compare the amount of totals sugars between products.

Percentage Daily Value The Percentage (%) Daily Value tells us if there is a “little” or “ a lot” of each nutrient listed on the Nutrition Facts table, such as fat, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. It is based on a recommended, average, healthy 2000 calorie diet. The Percentage (%) Daily Value compares each nutrient in a food item or drink to the amount that is required in a whole day for an adult male. Health Canada indicates that a food or drink item is considered LOW in a particular nutrient if the % Daily Value is 5% or less. Health Canada indicates that a food or drink item is considered HIGH in a particular nutrient if the % Daily Value is 15% or more. NOTE: There is no % of Daily Value for sugar because we do not need sugar and there is no recommended amount. Less is better!!!!

Product Comparision 1. Product A is high in vitamin A (15%) and calcium (30%). 2. Product B is only high in vitamin C (100%) Which product is a better choice? Answer: Product A is high in 2 nutrients while Product B is high in 1 nutrient, Product A is a better choice.

Reading Labels Get into groups of 3 Is there added sugar in the drink? Determine the amount of grams of sugar on the nutrition label. 4 grams of sugar = 1 teaspoon (5ml) Which group has: Less than 5 teaspoons of sugar per serving 5-10 teaspoons of sugar per serving More than 10 teaspoons of sugar per serving

Here is your task! Choose a popular drink, such as an energy drink, sugar sweetened pop, iced coffee, Starbucks or sports drink. Research advertisements for your drink and write a summary about the messages each advertisements communicates. Determine if the messages in the advertisement is supported by the information on the drinks nutrition label. Title: Label Reading Provide a picture of the drink as well as the nutrition facts Summary will be written below picture Once completed place finished work in Student Share  Miss. Lavallee  Health 9  9A or 9B Label Reading