How do I read the Nutrition Report?
Asked by anonymous on Jan 05, 2009
in Nutrition
Whenever I look at my Nutrition Report, I see a whole bunch of numbers and percentages, but I don't have a clue about what any of it means. How do I read the report?
Answer
The Nutrition Report compares the nutrients in your diet to standard values.
The pie chart categorizes your total calorie intake into calories from carbohydrate, protein, fat, and alcohol. Compare your nutrient percentages to the recommendations of The Dietary Guidelines:
- Carbohydrates: 45 – 65% of total calories (average 55%)
- Protein: 10 – 35% of total calories (average 15%)
- Fat: 20 - 35% of total calories of total calories (average 30%)
Next, look at the numbers for sodium, sugar, saturated fat, etc. Hover over the blue date to see those numbers expressed as a percent. The numbers and percents are based on the Daily Values (%DV) for a 2,000 calorie diet. The %DVs were developed for use on food labels. They are:
- Cholesterol: 300 milligrams or less
- Sodium: 2400 milligrams or more
- Saturated fat: 20 grams
- Dietary fiber: 25 grams or more
- Vitamin A: 5000 IU
- Vitamin C: 60 milligrams
- Calcium: 1000 milligrams
- Iron: 18 milligrams
Again, compare your nutrient percentages to the %DVs and adjust your food choices if the numbers are consistently out of line.
So you can keep track of what you eat - which enables you to analyze your foods and receive the following:
- Health Score of your overall diet
- Warning when you approach your daily calorie limit
- Overview of the good and bad nutrients
