How to make sense out of reading a label on food containers isn't as complicated as it looks. (But then, with the Government involved, there's bound to be some confusion!)

The theory behind the Nutrition Fact Label is to give us, the consumer, detailed nutritional information we are then able to make intelligent comparisons, decisions and selections between similar foods, based on the nutritive values we see on the labels.

The following is a look at a regular soup label, starting at the top:

1. NUTRITION FACTS tell us:
How big is a serving size? The answer is given in easy to understand common household measurements
How many servings are in each package?
Our soup label says: a serving size is 1 cup with 2 servings per can

2. DAILY VALUE % percentages shown on the right side of each item tell us:
This percent shows us how this food fits into the overall daily diet according to USDA nutrient recommendations
These percent numbers are always based on a presumed 2,000 calorie a day diet
Think: "each nutrient has a value of 100% to be spent each day if I use 31% of my sodium up in 1 cup of soup, that leaves me a value of 69% left to "spend" on other foods today

3. CALORIES and CALORIES FROM FAT these tell us:
The number of calories per serving AND
How many of those "per serving" calories come from fat
*Our soup label says: there are 180 calories in the 1 cup of serving, with 60 of those calories coming from fat

3. TOTAL FAT, SATURATED FAT, TRANS FAT these tell us:
The total fat grams in a 1 cup serving of soup AND
How many grams of fat are SATURATED FAT AND
How many grams of fat are TRANS FAT
*Our soup label says: there are a total of 6 grams or 9% of the daily percentage of fat in the 1 cup serving; there are 2.5 grams of saturated fat or 13% of the daily percentage in the 1 cup serving; there are 0 grams of trans fat in the 1 cup serving

4. CHOLESTEROL tells us:
How much cholesterol is in 1 serving of soup
If this shows a high number percentage, it may be wise to choose something with a lower number
*Our soup label says: there are 30 milligrams or 10% of the daily percentage of cholesterol in the 1 cup serving

5. SODIUM tells us:
How much salt is in 1 serving of soup
Low sodium numbers are essential for those aiming for a lower salt intake
*Our soup label says: there are 530 milligrams or 31% of the daily percentage of sodium in the 1 cup serving

6. TOTAL CARBOHYDRATES, DIETARY FIBER,

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