How to Read Food Labels

You may have several different reasons to want to learn how to read the nutrients content on food labels. Reading food labels can definitely lead to a healthier lifestyle. Below are steps to examine a food label.

Instructions

• 1

  Read the first section and you will see the serving size and the servings per container for the product.

• 2

  Check for calories per serving and calories from fat in the next section.

• 3

  Locate the next section and you will find information on total fat, saturated fat, and trans fat as well as cholesterol, sodium and carbohydrates. You want to limit the nutrients in this section for a healthy lifestyle.

• 4

  Look down and you will find information on dietary fiber, sugar, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron. You want to make sure your healthy diet includes plenty of these items.

• 5

  Verify that your daily percentage, which is located to the right of each nutrient, is meeting your nutritional needs.

• 6

  Ensure that you are receiving the correct recommended daily allowance of nutrients by checking the footnote at the bottom of the label. This will tell you amounts of total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, and dietary fiber needed, based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

• 7

  Notice that the amount of each ingredient will be listed by the largest amount of ingredient first and downward from that point.