Instructions
Read the following information about food labels and answer the questions below.
Understanding Food Labels
Food labels provide essential information about the nutritional value of food products. Below are the components often found on a food label:
- Serving Size: Indicates the amount that is typically consumed in one sitting.
- Calories: The total number of calories in one serving.
- Nutrients: Information on fats, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
- Daily Values: Percentages that indicate how much a nutrient contributes to a daily diet based on a 2,000 calorie per day intake.
Questions
1. Why is the serving size important when reading food labels?
2. If a food product has 250 calories per serving and you eat two servings, how many calories do you consume?
3. What does the % Daily Value tell you about a particular nutrient?
4. Name three nutrients you should look for on a food label and explain why they are important.
5. Imagine you are trying to choose a healthy snack. What information on the label would help you make your decision?
6. Choose a food item from your pantry or refrigerator and write down the serving size, calories, and one nutrient it contains.