Food and nutrition have a profound effect on human life. It encompasses numerous disciplines such as science, technology and medicine.
Nutrition is the process by which the body absorbs and uses nutrients to make energy, repair tissues, and protect itself from disease.
Nutrition facts label
The nutrition facts label on food packaging and nutrition notes provides important information regarding the nutrients and other components present. It’s essential to read these labels carefully and adhere to their instructions.
On a nutrition facts label, ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, with the first ingredient being the one present in the highest amount when the product was manufactured. This makes comparing items easier, especially when choosing food for special diets or avoiding ingredients due to allergies or sensitivities.
Sugars: Simple carbohydrates such as fruit and milk sugar or added sugars can be high in calories but also beneficial when eaten in moderation. People with diabetes or other health conditions should limit foods that have more than 0.5 grams of sugars per serving size.
Cholesterol, a fat-like substance similar to cholesterol, is essential for building cells in your body and an independent risk factor for heart disease. On food labels and nutritional notes, cholesterol content is reported in milligrams (mg) rounding off to 5 mg increments.
Ingredients
Food and nutrition labels on food packages are an invaluable resource to help consumers better comprehend what they’re consuming. These notes indicate how many servings of various nutrients a product contains per serve, as well as the number of calories provided per portion size.
Some of these ingredients have long, technical names you may not be familiar with, such as baking soda or sea salt. Manufacturers must use names people can recognize and be as specific as possible about the source and chemical form of each ingredient.
Sugar, salt and fat are often labeled with various names. Sugar may be referred to as corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, agave nectar, brown rice syrup or honey; sodium could be listed as salt, brine, baking soda, monosodium glutamate or sodium benzoate.
Fat, sugar and salt must all be declared on an item’s ingredient list. While these nutrients are necessary for health, too much of them can lead to weight gain and other issues.
Nutrition claims
Nutrition claims on food packaging and nutrition notes refer to statements about nutrient content (for instance, “high in calcium” or “low in fat”), which must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Food and Drug Administration permits health claims that establish a connection between certain foods or dietary substances and disease risk, provided they meet certain criteria. These claims are regulated by the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990.
General level health claims refer to food-health relationships that have either been pre-approved by the Standard, or self-substantiated by a food business using its scientific method outlined there. High level health claims depend on either self-substantiation by the food business, or biomarkers associated with serious diseases.
Calories
Knowing the number of calories in a particular item helps you make informed decisions about what you eat and drink.
Calorie information can be found on many packaged foods and drinks as part of the Nutrition Facts label. You may also notice calorie amounts listed on menus at restaurants and other food establishments.
Diet is an integral factor in weight gain or loss. How much food you eat and how active you are can significantly influence your caloric needs.
Calories are found in food sources like carbohydrates, protein and fats. By selecting foods that provide healthy sources of these essential nutrients, you can help control your calorie intake while still enjoying a balanced diet.
