You hear it all the time: read food labels! But what does all that nutritional information actually mean? Here are some quick tips to help you interpret the labels so you can make healthy choices:
- First look at the Serving Size and the Servings per Container. This will help you identify the right portion size. For instance, if the label says there are 2 servings per container, only eat half of what’s in the container!
- Notice the total number of Calories per Serving. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that for every 100 calories, there are no more than 3 grams of fat.
- Limit these: total fat (including saturated and trans fat), cholesterol, and sodium.
- Get plenty of these nutrients: fiber, vitamins, calcium, and iron.
- Use the % Daily Value to determine what is a high or low number for your daily diet. A % Daily Value of 5% or less is low, while 20% or more is high.
Got a question for Nutritionist Natalie? Email her: natalie@lucilleroberts.com