Before we begin: Most packaged foods in the U.S. have food labels. The label can help you eat a healthy, balanced, diet. Learn more.
This tutorial walks you through everything you need to know about food labeling. We explain it in plain language, step by step, so whether you are a student, a patient, or simply curious, you will come away with a solid understanding.
We cover what it is, why it matters, how it is diagnosed, and what you can do about it. Key facts are called out along the way.
All packaged foods and beverages in the United States have food labels. These “Nutrition Facts” labels can help you make smarter food choices and eat a healthy diet.
Before you read the food label, you should know a few things:
Serving size is based on how much people usually eat and drink at one time
Number of servings tells you how many servings are in the container. Some labels will give you information about calories and nutrients for both the whole package and each serving size. But many labels just tell you that information for each serving size. You need to think about the serving size when you decide how much to eat or drink. For example, if a bottle of juice has two servings and you drink the whole bottle, then you are getting twice the amount of sugar that is listed on the label.
Percent daily value (%DV) is a number that helps you understand how much of a nutrient is in one serving. Experts recommend that you get a certain amount of different nutrients daily. %DV tells you what percentage of the daily recommendation you get from one serving of a food. With this, you can figure out if a food is high or low in a nutrient: 5% or less is low, 20% or more is high.
The information on a food label can help you see how a certain food or drink fits into your overall diet. The label lists, per serving,:
The number of calories
Fats, including total fat, saturated fat, and trans fat
Cholesterol
Sodium
Carbohydrates, including fiber, total sugar, and added sugar
Protein
Vitamins and minerals
Food and Drug Administration
Also known as: Nutrition labeling.
Related topics: Nutrition Labeling.
Categories: Food and Nutrition.
Key Takeaways
Understanding food labeling is an important part of taking charge of your health. Here is what to remember:
- Know the signs — Recognizing early symptoms can lead to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes.
- Talk to your provider — If you have concerns or a family history of this condition, bring it up at your next checkup.
- Stay informed — Medical knowledge evolves. Keep learning and asking questions.
- You are not alone — Many people deal with this condition. Support groups and educational resources can help.