Health Tip: Reading Food Labels

Reading product labels can help you choose the healthiest foods.

The Womenshealth.gov website offers this advice about food labels:

• Read the serving size and how many servings are in a container. Also note the number of calories per serving and calories from fat.
• Read the percentage daily values, which tell you how much of the recommended daily intake of a particular ingredient you will receive from eating a portion of that food.
• Read amounts of trans fat, saturated fat, total fat, cholesterol and sodium, avoiding foods with high amounts of these.
• Opt for foods with high amounts of fiber.
• Check for sufficient amounts of iron, calcium, potassium and vitamins A and C.
• Opt for foods with high protein content that are low in fat.