 (#2 on the sample label) |
| The first place to start looking is the serving size and the number of servings in the package. Serving sizes are standardized to make it easier to compare similar foods; they are provided in familiar units, such as cups or pieces, followed by the metric amount (i.e. number of grams). The size of the serving on the food package influences the number of calories and all the nutrient amounts listed on the top part of the label. |
| After you look at the serving size you must then determine how many servings you are going to have. In the sample label, one serving of macaroni and cheese equals one cup. If you ate the whole package, you would eat two cups. Eating two cups of macaroni and cheese would double the calories and other nutrient numbers in the sample label. See the following table for further clarification. |
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Example |
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Single Serving |
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Double Serving |
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Serving Size |
1 cup (228g) |
%DV |
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2 cups (456g) |
%DV |
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Calories |
250 |
|
500 |
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Calories from Fat |
110 |
|
220 |
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Total Fat |
12g |
18% |
24g |
36% |
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Trans Fat |
1.5g |
|
3g |
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Saturated Fat |
3g |
15% |
6g |
30% |
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Cholesterol |
30mg |
10% |
60mg |
20% |
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Sodium |
470mg |
20% |
940mg |
40% |
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Total Carbohydrate |
31g |
10% |
62g |
20% |
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Dietary Fiber |
0g |
0% |
0g |
0% |
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Sugars |
5g |
|
10g |
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Protein |
5g |
|
10g |
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Vitamin A |
|
4% |
|
8% |
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Vitamin C |
|
2% |
|
4% |
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Calcium |
|
20% |
|
40% |
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Iron |
|
4% |
|
8% |
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