You can help your family eat better and balance their energy by learning to choose lower calorie, lower fat alternatives to some of their favorite foods. Use the Nutrition Facts label found on food packages to make smarter food choices.

This example below is a Nutrition Facts Label is from a macaroni and cheese dinner. You can also visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Web site to see more examples of the Nutrition Facts Label and what it can tell you.

Do you know how to read this?

When using the nutrition facts label as a guide, try these tips:

• Keep these low: saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, and sodium
• Get enough of these: potassium, fiber, vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron
• Use the Percent Daily Value (% DV) column when possible; 5% DV or less is low, 20% DV or more is high

It is a simple way to teach your children a life long lesson.  Reading a label can be fun and educational at the same time.  Athletes in particular can look for things their bodies need to compete or practice.  Where are the carbs and protein, and how much should they be eating?  It’s all right there in the label!