Health Tips:A guide to Reading & understanding food labels

Are you confused about food labels? It is so important to your family's health to be aware of food labels, I can help with the descriptions of each. Be sure to check those labels before even buying at your local supermarket.

On the front of most food packages or the side, etc. you will find a variety of claims ranging from fat free to healthy. Be sure to realize this description is for a certain serving size as shown on the container.

Low Fat: This means the food contains three grams or less of fat per serving.

Low Saturated Fat: This means that the food contains one gram or less of saturated fat per serving.

Low Sodium: This means that the foot contains l40 milligrams or less of sodium per serving.

Low Cholesterol: This means that the food contains 20 milligrams or less of cholesterol and two grams or less of saturated fat per serving.

Low Calorie: This means that the food contains 40 calories or less per serving.

Reduced: This means the food contains at least 25 percent less of a nutrient (such as fat, cholesterol, or sodium) or calories than the regular product.

Light: This means the food contains one-third fewer calories or half the fat of the regular product, or the sodium content of a low-calorie, low-fat food and that these have been reduced by at least 50 percent.

Healthy: This means the food must be low in fat and saturated fat and contains limited amounts of cholesterol and sodium. In addition, single-item foods (like bread) must provide at least l0 percent of one or more of the following nutrients: vitamins A or "C, iron, calcium, protein, or fiber. Even stricter guidelines apply for frozen-dinners and meal-type products, like macaroni and cheese.

Good Source: This means that the food provides l0 to l9 percent of the Daily Value for a particular nutrient per serving.

High: This means the food provides 20 percent or more of te Daily Value for a particular nutrient per serving.