Parents Gude and Facts To Understanding Food Labels

 

Food labels provide information about the nutritional content inside a package of food. All food manufacturers are required by law to provide 

specific information about the food your are buying to help you make informed healthy decisions. But of course, you have to read the food label first.

 

Food labels are broken up into sections to make it easy for you to read and understand the nutrition found on a particular food item. Always start with how many serving are in the package. Then you can look at what is a serving (1/2 cup, 1 package etc).

 

You will find information easily about the calories, how many servings in that package (they often have more than one) and other key information about fat content, vitamins, sodium (salt), cholesterol and fiber.

 

You may notice that fresh fruits and vegetables do not have food labels. That is because they are in their natural form with no preservatives or other ingredients added to alter them. It is not a processed food. In general, it is always healthier to buy foods that are fresh like fruits and vegetables and whole grains and reduce purchases of processed foods.