Nutrition Facts Panel

The three most helpful sections of the food label are right at the top:

• Serving Size
• Servings per container
• Calories per serving

The next two sections of the Nutrition Facts panel list
the nutrient contents of the food. The column on the
right is known as the Percent Daily Value, or % DV. These
values are not recommended intakes. They are reference
points to help consumers better understand their overall daily dietary needs, and how a particular food fits in. The Percent Daily Value is based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

Clients should be counseled to try to achieve the Dietary Reference Intake for fiber, 25 g for women and 38 g for men, and use the label to choose high-fiber( more than 5 g/serving) foods. The data provided on the food label for fat content includes: total fat, saturated fat, trans fats, and cholesterol. In brief, total fat should be kept to 35% or less of total calories contributed from fat and equal to or less than 10% from
saturated fat (derived primarily from animal fats). Current guidelines for dietary cholesterol suggest less than 300 mg/day (18). For sodium, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s recommendation for avoiding or lowering high blood pressure is 1,500 to 2,300 mg/day (25).