It is all on the label! But one has to learn how to read the label and what it all means so that we can be an educated consumer in nutritional facts on what we are purchasing and our personal meal planning.

The nutritional facts are noted on all foods and the label is a requirement for most packaged foods sold in Canada. The purpose of the food label is to be used as a tool to develop a nutritional understanding and planning you meals in a way that supports the recommended daily nutritional intake.

.First, the serving size is based on what size is being eaten and is not a suggested eating guide. This means that when you see 2/3 of a cup it is just that a measurement. The consideration is when we see the measurement assess the calories provided and view the Fat, Cholesterol, Sodium, Total Carbohydrate, Sugars, Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron and Potassium and Protein. The left side of the label is per the portion of serving size listed the amount in percentage of each and on the right side the label tells us the % of that nutrient per serving size that contributes to a daily diet. In general a diet of 2000 calories a day is used for the general label nutritional advice.

There are basic nutrition guidelines and this labeling is to assist you in making informed decisions. It would be also of value to know that amount of each item daily recommendation plus age, weight groups which come into play on determining your daily needs.

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