5 tips for reading the nutrition label
The nutrition information on a food package tells you what a food is made up of and how much it contributes to your daily diet. This is important for your health and your body's ability to stay healthy.
Look for foods that have less sugar and more nutrient-dense ingredients like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and dairy. These foods will help you maintain your weight, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and increase energy levels.
Avoid ultra-processed foods and snack foods that are high in fats, salt, and sugar. These unhealthy foods can make you gain weight and lead to serious health problems.
Read the nutritional labels on a food to find out how much sugar, calories, and other nutrients are in it. Pay attention to the % Daily Value (DV) on the nutrition label and compare it to your own dietary needs.
DV is a government-recommended value that indicates how much a nutrient contributes to your daily diet. This value can be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Be careful to check the serving size on the nutrition label to get a realistic idea of how many servings are in a container (package). Two Frosted Strawberry Pop Tarts have 400 calories, 76 grams of carbohydrates, less than 2 grams of fiber and only 4 grams of protein per pastry!
While a single Pop Tart may not seem like a lot of calories, they are highly caloric because they contain refined grains, sugar and unhealthy fats. The partially hydrogenated oils in Pop Tarts are also a source of trans fats, which can raise your risk of heart disease and diabetes.