Decoding Nutrition Facts Labels

10th GradeHealth44 min

aligned to Analyze Nutrition Labels To Determine The Healthfulness Of A Food Product. Evaluate Food Choices Using Knowledge Of Nutrition And Label Information.

Learning Objective

deceptive food labels

Lesson Flow

Watch Video

5 min

Reading Food Labels: What the Nutrition Facts label Tell Us

CSUExtension

Guided Notes

9 min

Key concepts students will learn:

  • The serving size listed on a Nutrition Facts label is based on the amount of food someone is likely to eat at one time and is not a recommendation of how much to eat.

  • The percent daily values (%DV) tell you what percent of the daily amount of a nutrient is in one serving; aim for at least 20% DV for beneficial nutrients and no more than 5% DV for nutrients to limit.

  • The nine most common allergens that must be listed on an ingredients label are milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, and soybeans, and sesame.

Practice

13 min

10 questions • Multiple choice & Short answer

Exit Ticket

5 min

Imagine you are trying to choose between two brands of granola bars for a snack. One bar has 200 calories, 3g of saturated fat (15% DV), 15g of sugar, 2g of fiber (8% DV), 50mg of calcium (4% DV), and 1mg of iron (6% DV). The other bar has 180 calories, 1g of saturated fat (5% DV), 8g of sugar, 4g of fiber (16% DV), 100mg of calcium (8% DV), and 2mg of iron (12% DV). Based on the nutrition facts labels, which granola bar would be a healthier choice for you and why? Explain your reasoning, referencing specific nutrients and daily values.

Teacher Guide

Get the complete package:

  • Answer keys for all questions
  • Differentiation strategies
  • Extension activities
  • Printable student handouts