Digesting Food Label Facts
Food Labels list the nutrients in food and show how the foods fit into your daily diet. Select any part of the food label to find out information.
Use your mouse to roll over the nutrition facts to learn more about each one.
Proteins
Proteins are nutrients important to build and repair cells in the body. Proteins are made of chains of amino acids. There are 20 different amino acids that combine in different ways to produce different proteins. Essential amino acids must be supplied by the foods you eat because they cannot be produced in the body. Proteins are complete or incomplete. Complete proteins have all the essential amino acids that your body needs. Examples of complete proteins are lean meat, chicken, fish, milk and cheese. Incomplete proteins lack some amino acids, but you can combine foods to get all the essential amino acids. Examples of incomplete proteins are nuts, grains and vegetables. Not enough protein can result in poor resistance to infection.
Proteins are nutrients important to build and repair cells in the body. Proteins are made of chains of amino acids. There are 20 different amino acids that combine in different ways to produce different proteins. Essential amino acids must be supplied by the foods you eat because they cannot be produced in the body. Proteins are complete or incomplete. Complete proteins have all the essential amino acids that your body needs. Examples of complete proteins are lean meat, chicken, fish, milk and cheese. Incomplete proteins lack some amino acids, but you can combine foods to get all the essential amino acids. Examples of incomplete proteins are nuts, grains and vegetables. Not enough protein can result in poor resistance to infection.
Fat
Fat is an essential nutrient needed in your diet. Fats are responsible for storing energy in your body. Fat is needed in your diet in small amounts for the body to function properly. Fats help cushion your organs and provide insulation. Fats carry nutrients throughout your body, and they are the building blocks for hormones that regulate many developmental functions. Eating too much fat may result in a stroke or heart attack.
Fat is an essential nutrient needed in your diet. Fats are responsible for storing energy in your body. Fat is needed in your diet in small amounts for the body to function properly. Fats help cushion your organs and provide insulation. Fats carry nutrients throughout your body, and they are the building blocks for hormones that regulate many developmental functions. Eating too much fat may result in a stroke or heart attack.
Dietary Fiber
Fiber is a complex carbohydrate that helps keep the digestive system working by moving food through quickly. Fiber may help to prevent colon cancer. Not enough fiber in your diet can result in constipation and colon cancer. Foods high in fiber are fresh fruit and vegetables, beans and whole grain breads.
Fiber is a complex carbohydrate that helps keep the digestive system working by moving food through quickly. Fiber may help to prevent colon cancer. Not enough fiber in your diet can result in constipation and colon cancer. Foods high in fiber are fresh fruit and vegetables, beans and whole grain breads.
Serving Size
The serving size is located at the top of the label. The information on the rest of the label is based on serving size. How much are you actually eating compared to serving size?
The serving size is located at the top of the label. The information on the rest of the label is based on serving size. How much are you actually eating compared to serving size?
% Daily Value
The percent daily value is based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
The percent daily value is based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance. The liver can make all the cholesterol your body needs, so it need not be part of your diet. Extra cholesterol can result in build up of fat in arteries and may cause heart disease.
Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance. The liver can make all the cholesterol your body needs, so it need not be part of your diet. Extra cholesterol can result in build up of fat in arteries and may cause heart disease.
Sugar
Sugar amounts listed on nutritional label includes added sugars and natural sugars. Try to limit added sugars to less than 10% of your calories. Sugars are high in calories and may cause tooth decay and obesity.
Sugar amounts listed on nutritional label includes added sugars and natural sugars. Try to limit added sugars to less than 10% of your calories. Sugars are high in calories and may cause tooth decay and obesity.
Sodium
Sodium is found in table salt and is often used to preserve food. Sodium helps maintain water balance and is needed for normal nerve function. Excessive levels of sodium may result in high blood pressure.
Sodium is found in table salt and is often used to preserve food. Sodium helps maintain water balance and is needed for normal nerve function. Excessive levels of sodium may result in high blood pressure.
Calories
The calories listed are based on a single serving and explain the amount of calorie energy. A calorie is the measurement of energy in the food that you eat. We all need energy to function everyday and we get that energy from food. Your body uses food as fuel. It “burns” this fuel to produce the energy you need. When you take in more calories than your body needs, the extra calories are stored as fat. Calorie Chart
The calories listed are based on a single serving and explain the amount of calorie energy. A calorie is the measurement of energy in the food that you eat. We all need energy to function everyday and we get that energy from food. Your body uses food as fuel. It “burns” this fuel to produce the energy you need. When you take in more calories than your body needs, the extra calories are stored as fat. Calorie Chart