Nutrition Basics: How to Read a Nutrition Facts Label!

Living in America two of the biggest influences in choosing what we want to eat is taste and convenience. Typically, when we think of food that is convenient we think of fast food, premade foods, foods we can quickly make from a box/container by throwing it in the microwave and other processed foods. A study showed that over half (57.5%) of the average Americans diet is made up of these processed foods (sodas, cookies, chips, fast food, etc.).1
​

Typically, these processed foods end up being higher in calories, sugar, carbohydrates and fat and have minimal amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients our bodies need. Now I am not saying you need to go through your pantry and throw everything out, but I will teach you how to best understand and utilize a nutrition facts label!

Here is a simple nutrition facts label for Oatmeal
​

1. Number one represents the number of servings per container and the servings size. As you can see here the serving size for oatmeal according to this nutrition facts label is ½ cups which means for every ½ cup of…