Kristen replied:
We get asked this all the time! The Nutrition Facts label contains lots of info, so it can be really helpful—once you know what to look for.
The label helps you make informed choices about what you eat and drink. It’s great if you want to improve your eating habits. You’ll see how many calories are in a serving, how big a serving should be, how much fat and sugar, and more.
The label also shows you percentages—how much of your daily needs for fat, sodium and vitamins are in a food. This is always based on an average of 2,000 calories a day. (Not everyone is the same height, weight or age, or has the same level of activity or health needs, though. So you may need more or fewer calories.
Next time you shop for food, take a little extra time to compare products. Does one have more added sugar, saturated fat or sodium/salt? Factor that into your choice. You can explore all the details shown with this Interactive Nutrition Facts Label. This tool breaks it down step by step.
Reading labels takes a little practice, but you’ll get the hang of it! It’s handy for making small changes. Still, try not to get tunnel vision by checking only one thing.
Why? Some foods cut fat by adding sugar or salt. Low-salt foods often add fat to make up for lost flavor. Items that say “no sugar added” may still be high in sugar. Scan the whole label to find the best produce for you.