In my last post -- Got Diabetes? You'll Love the New Nutrition Label -- you learned about the changes to the Nutrition Facts Label that will be seen over the next two to three years. While waiting for those changes to take place the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched an online Nutrition Facts Label tool to make it easier to explore and interpret the wealth of information on the Nutrition Facts label that you see now.
The new online tool from FDA provides an in-depth look at specific nutrients and their role in your daily diet. Action tips are also provided throughout, simplifying FDA's advice for using the label to make informed choices and manage specific nutrients you may wish to get "more of" or "less of." Here's what you'll find:
What's on the Label: Tour the various sections of the label, and then focus on the nutrients you're most interested in. For each nutrient, you'll learn what it is, where it's found, what it does, and how it relates to your daily diet.
Ingredient List: Find tips for using the Ingredient List, which is also found on food and beverage packaging (often below the Nutrition Facts label). The Ingredient List is a helpful source for identifying whole grain ingredients, saturated fats, and added sugars.
Nutrition Glossary: See common nutrition-related terms organized in alphabetical order with simple definitions.
Resources: Explore helpful links to additional information from FDA and other government partners. Use them for further research on nutrition-related topics.
Downloadables: Get printable nutrition fact sheets to keep and share. Download the entire set, or focus on the particular elements of the Nutrition Facts label you find of interest.
The Nutrition Facts Label Online offers a unique overview of the label and each of its elements. Discover and "bookmark" the interactive tool for use in meal planning and refer to it on your mobile device when shopping, too! By using the online tool, you can familiarize yourself with the Nutrition Facts label to compare foods and beverages, and be equipped to make informed nutrition choices that support a healthy diet.