NutritionChapter 19

Nutrition Labels & Healthy Eating

Fast Food Web Hunt Assignment

Food can often look better, even healthier on a commercial or poster. This clip shows what food companies actually do to have food look more appealing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTelTe0cieg

First, Read the Label

Canadian government regulations make nutrition labeling mandatory on most food packaging

Nutrition Facts table: Standard format on every product Lists all main (core) nutrients in the same

order Label may also contain a list of the ingredients and/or health-related claims

What Is On The Label?

The Nutrition Facts Table:

- lists the total calories along with 13 core nutrients

- most nutrients are shown in grams or milligrams

- vitamins and minerals are expressed only as a percentage of the Daily Value

- energy value is provided in calories

% Daily Value:

- tells you how much, or how little, of a nutrient is contained in a particular food item in relation to what should be taken in on a daily basis, based on a 2000-Calorie diet

The Footnote Usually placed on larger food items

Recommends upper daily limits for total fat sat fat, cholesterol, sodium total carbs and dietary fiber.

These footnotes are used to calculate % DV

Understanding the Label If you ate the entire can,

how much sodium would you consume?

How many servings of soup would it take to consume 120 calories?

How many servings of soup would I need to consume 20% of my daily requirement of fiber?

How many grams of total carbs would be consumed if you ate 15% of your DV?

What Exactly Is % Daily Value?

Nutrient Content Claims

Free: contains a nutritionally insignificant amount

Low: contains a very small amount

Reduced: contains at least 25 percent less of

a specified nutrient when compared with a

similar product

Source: contains a significant amount

Light: products are reduced in fat or reduced

in calories

Diet And Health Claims

Manufacturers can highlight a relationship between diet and certain health conditions:

A healthy diet low in sodium and high in potassium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure.

A healthy diet adequate in calcium and vitamin D may reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

A healthy diet low in saturated and trans fat may reduce the risk of heart disease.

A Guide to Action

Canada’s Food Guide Recommends:

Choose lower fats foods more often

Choose whole grain and enriched grain products more often

Choose dark green and orange vegetables more often

Choose lower fat milk products more often

Choose leaner meats and fish more often

Break The Fast Starting The Day Right

When you eat breakfast, you literally “Break the fast,” and most experts agree that it is the most important meal of the day.

Getting in the mood our brains are fueled by glucose, which comes

from carbohydrate-rich foods (cereal, toast, fruit, and dairy products)

our brain needs them in order to function optimally “breakfast skippers” are more likely to feel

lethargic, tired, moody, irritable, have difficulty concentrating – and in no mood for physical activity or learning.

Studies show that high-school students who have breakfast do better academically, are more alert, perform better physically, and are generally in a better mood than those who don’t.