Do Nutrition Labels Matter?

Do Nutrition Labels Matter?

Learning how to understand and use the Nutrition Facts label can help you make healthier eating choices and identify nutrient-dense foods for a healthy diet.

1. Start with the serving information at the top.

This will tell you the size of a single serving and the total number of servings per container.

2. Check total calories per serving and container.

Pay attention to the calories per serving and how many calories you’re really consuming if you eat the whole package. If you double the servings you eat, you double the calories and nutrients.

3. Nutrients.

Check key nutrients and understand what you’re looking for. Not all fats are bad, and total sugars can include both natural and added sugars.

Limit the amounts of added sugars and saturated fat you eat, and avoid trans fat. When choosing among different brands or similar products, compare labels and choose foods with less of these nutrients when possible.

4.  Understand % Daily Value.

The % Daily Value (DV) tells you the percentage of each nutrient in a single serving, in terms of the daily recommended amount.

If you want to consume less of a nutrient (such as saturated fat or sodium), choose foods with a lower % DV (5 percent or less). If you want to consume more of a nutrient (such as fiber), choose foods with a higher % DV (20 percent or more).