Describe some of the kinds of numbers that appear on food labels?

Question

How are these numbers helpful to customers?

Answer 1

The posters here are right that most diabetics look at the amount of carbohydrates (the most important number for us), sugar content, fat content and calories when they check the labels on any given food. Most importantly, though, we have to make sure we understand the portion size that corresponds to these numbers.

If you are asking how we evaluate these numbers, here is how I do it based on the advice and recommendations of my dietician and doctor. First, my daily meal plan consists of 45-60 grams (g)carbs allowed per meal (recommended for women; men can have 60-75 g/meal), and 15 g per snack. I typically eat 3 meals a day, 2 snacks in-between. If I feel like I need an additional snack or two, vegetables are practically carb-free, so I can eat those whenever I like (i.e. carrots, broccoli, etc.)

When I look at carbs, I often use what is listed as "Dietary Exchanges" on a label. Each Dietary Exchange is read as follows; 1 dietary exchange = 15 carbs. So basically, 3-4 Dietary Exchanges would be an entire meal for me; 1 Exchange would be a snack. If the food doesn't list dietary exchanges, you can take the total amt of carbs listed and divide them by 15. Also, 6-10g carbs would be like 1/2 an Exchange, less than that you don't count.

So I generally look at carbs first, then I look at fat content (just to make sure it's as low as possible; you can typically choose low-fat foods to ensure this), and of course calories. Calories are just considered in respect to the type of diet you are on and/or if you are trying to lose weight, which most of us are (i.e. 1500 calories/per day diet, 2000 calories/per day diet, etc.)

Also, If the product is sugar-free or low sugar, it may contain what's known as "sugar alcohol." In terms of carbs, 1/2 of the carbs created by the sugar alcohol are actually the good ones that naturally get absorbed and burned by the body. So if the label says "12 Carbohydrates", but listed underneath those carbs is sugar alcohol, you can actually 1/2 the amount of carbohydrates listed for that food. Most of the time, it's just easier though to count all the carbs just to make sure you don't over-do-it.

Sorry this so long, but it's a little difficult to explain without giving all the details. Hope this answers your question and good luck to you!

Answer 2

Some has to do with the Date of production, Expiration date, the manufacturer number & the gov/fda code. On the fact of Nutritional value- it varies and simply states how much per serving you can have when you eat. Sodium, carbs, calories are the main ones to look out for. Remember "per serving" not the whole can.

Answer 3

First is the type of servings interior the sector. Serving length is given also. next is energy. Then energy from fat. entire fat, or perhaps if it truly is saturated or trans fat. ldl cholesterol sodium carbohydrates sugars protein also minerals calcium,iron and supplements thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and folic acid(B supplements) and if different supplements are there which includes C or A also indexed are entire elements The nutritional listings are important to human beings observing their diets for any reason and the elements for each person allergic to certain elements.

Answer 4

Since you posted this under Diabetes....

We most often look at the "Total Carbohydrate" label because it tells us
how much we can eat
how much insulin/medication to take

Fat and calories are important, too. Calories for weight issues. Fat because it slows the absorption of the carbohydrate.

Answer 5

Total carbohydrates, fibre, fat content (saturated), and total calories are most important to most diabetic customers.

This allows diabetics to match their insulin correctly to their food, follow their meal plan allotments, or watch portions, fat intake, carb intake, and total calories (usually the last 5 apply to Type 2 diabetics mostly).

However, we ALL should be trying to follow a healthy diet and really look at what we are eating. This applies to everyone.