How to Read Food Labels: There’s lots of complex information on the side panels of most packaged foods. A Registered Dietician (such as our own Kathy Berkowitz) can give you personal guidance on topics such as a daily calorie "bank" to draw from. But the Nutrition Facts label can help you see how to fit each food into your own diet plan!

Serving Size: similar products are supposed to have to same serving sizes, reflecting the amounts people actually eat.

Calories: many patients trying to manage their diabetes (or heart disease or arthritis) are also trying to bring their weight down. You need to always know the total calories you can have daily – and figure how each food draws down your calorie "bank account."

Calories from Fat: Many people are trying to prevent heart disease by limiting their fat intake. Fat calories should contribute no more than 25-25% of the total intake. And remember, fat has 2 & 1/4 times the calories by weight as carbohydrates or protein!

Percent Daily Value: This helps show how each food contributes to a sample diet. At the bottom of the label, the Percent Daily Value box gives you a comparison of 2,000 and 2,500 calorie diets, and how much the food has of fat, sodium carbs, cholesterol and saturated fat. The example on this page shows a nice, low total fat of 2% of a 2000 calorie diet, with 1 gram of fat per serving.

If you need help, ask! Kathy Berkowitz is here for our patients, and a session with her can help you navigate the supermarket aisles with panache.

Sample Label

Amount Per Serving Calories 100 Calories from fat 10 % Daily Value*