The 411 on Food Labels

Here's how to read between the lines.

You Gotta Read - How often do you read food labels? Most folks our age don't. But today’s the day to change that. Read more about why food labels are so important for our health and what to look out for.  By Kellee Terrell (Photo: JGI/Tom Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)
Why Are They Important? - Food labels help inform you about what exactly you're putting in your body. For example, if your doctor wants you to watch your sugar or sodium intake, being able to know how much sugar/sodium is in a serving can help you stay on top of your health. Also, labels help you know what the actual serving sizes are, an issue that many of us struggle with when it comes to portion control. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Counting Calories - A calorie is a measure of how much energy you are getting from the serving of food. Food labels will let you know how many calories there are per serving. According to the FDA, if something is 50 calories or less, that is considered low in calories; 100 is a moderate amount and 400 or more is too much. (Photo: Chris Hondros/Getty Images)Nutrients Matter - The nutrients section lets you know how many nutrients the food you're eating has, compared to how much you need in a day. If it's 5 percent or less, you’re getting poor nutrient content. Ten to 20 percent is good. FYI: To get the full amount of nutrients and vitamins each day, you have to rely on unprocessed foods like fruits, veggies, nuts and lean meats. (Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

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You Gotta Read - How often do you read food labels? Most folks our age don't. But today’s the day to change that. Read more about why food labels are so important for our health and what to look out for.  By Kellee Terrell (Photo: JGI/Tom Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

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