1. HOW TO READ A NUTRITION LABEL
MJ TOMPKINS
NUTRITION 1

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

3. 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

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

5. 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!

6. 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

7. Why are these chosen vitamins and minerals here?

8. 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

9. WHY DOESN’T PROTEIN HAVE A DAILY VALUE?

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

11. 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

12. References
The Basics of the Nutrition Facts Panel. (2013, January 1). Retrieved December 4, 2014, from
My Plate on Campus. (n.d.). Retrieved December 4, 2014, from