Learning to identify with the nutrition facts table and the ingredients list on processed foods can help you to make healthier choises when grocery shopping.
Serving Size: The serving size identifies how much of the food item is equivalent to one food serving. Serving size is what the rest of the information on the Nutrition Facts label is based on. If two servings of the food is consumed then the calorie count is doubled, as well as everything else listed on the label. Meaning, “a little” fat can become “a lot”.
% Daily Value (%DV): The % is based on a unique scale of 5% (a little) to 15% (a lot) of which applies to nutrients. In the Nutritional Facts example above, it can be identified that there is “a little” fat and sodium in the product; whereas there is “a lot” of carbohydrates and very high in fibre.
The daily value scale is based on a 2,000-calorie diet. A persons actual “Daily Values” may be higher or lower depending on their recommended calories. In the chart below the “Nutritional Facts Recommendations” are shown for the above fictitious product.
Hope this helps you on your next visit to the grocery store!
Written by: J. Marshall of http://nutritionalhealingrecipes.com