| Food Labels - Learn How to Read Nutrition Facts Labels | |
| In order to make healthy decisions when you shop for foods, you need to understand all the information on food labels. Here's how to read a Nutrition Facts Label: |
Nutrition Facts - Serving Information
The top of the Nutrition Facts label gives you serving information. This is very important, because the information that you learn from the rest of the Nutrition Facts label depends on the serving size. There are two parts to the serving information on the Nutrition Facts label, the serving size and the number of servings.
The actual package size is not the same as the serving size and this can be very misleading. If a package of cookies contains six cookies and a serving size is equal to two cookies, that means the entire package contains three servings, not one. On the chicken noodle soup example above, it is important to note that a serving is one-half cup of the condensed soup as it comes in the can and not one-half cup of the soup after it has been mixed with water. Always look here to see if the serving size should be measured or counted before the product is prepared or after.
Sometimes, the number of servings may be easier to understand. On the chicken noodle soup Nutrition Facts label, the number of servings is given as about 2.5. That means if you prepare the can of soup with any amount of water and eat the whole thing yourself, you have eaten two and one-half servings...and that doesn't include any crackers. Next, lets look at calories, fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
Introduction | Serving Information | Calories, Fats, Carbs and Protein | Vitamins and Minerals | Suggested Daily Requirements
More Nutrition and Nutrition Facts Food Label Resources:
Calorie Need and Nutrition Guides
The Food Label
A Food Labeling Guide
Figuring Out Food Labels
Reading Food Labels
