How to Compare Food Labels
Deciphering food labels requires close reading and attention to detail. If you know what to look for, you can determine the differences between products and decide which food is better suited to your needs.
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Watch the Serving Size
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First look for the serving size on the food label. Different brands or packaging of the same food may have different serving sizes, which affects the amount of calories and nutrients. Comparing an 8 ounce container of yogurt to a 6 ounce container may not give an accurate idea of which brand is healthier.
Understand the Percent Daily Value
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According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Percent Daily Value is based on the recommendations for key nutrients for a 2,000 calorie diet. The Percent Daily Value makes it faster and easier to determine if a particular food is high or low in nutrients and helps when comparing foods with different serving sizes.
Know the Meaning behind the Claim
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Even packaging claims that sound similar have different meanings. According to kidshealth.org, the FDA mandates that products labeled "Reduced fat" have 25 percent less fat than the regular version, "Light" have 50 percent less fat than the regular version and "Low fat" has less than 3 grams of fat per serving.
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