What's in a Food? Nutrient Descriptors and Their Definitions Description Free Low Lean Extra lean High Good source Less Light More % Fat free Fresh Fresh frozen Definition The reference amount used on the food label contains none or a very little The reference amount contains no more than 40 calories; 140 mg sodium; 3 g fat. The reference amount of meat, poultry, seafood or game meats contains less than The reference amount contains less than 5 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, and 95 mg The reference amount contains 20% or more of the Daily Value for a particular A reference amount contains 10-19% of the Daily Value for a particular nutrient. A reference amount of a nutritionally altered product contains 25% less of a A reference amount of food contains 25% less of a nutrient or 25% fewer calories (1) A reference amount of an altered product contains 1/3 fewer calories or A reference amount contains at least 10% more of the Daily Value of a nutrient A product must be low-fat or fat-free, and the percentage must accurately reflect (1) A food is raw, has never been frozen or heated, and contains no (2) The term accurately describes the product (for example, "fresh milk," or The food has been quickly frozen while still fresh; blanching is allowed before The Food and Drug Administration will not allow the use of the above nutrient claims on infant and toddler foods. The terms "unsweetened" and "unsalted" are allowed on these foods because they relate to taste and not nutrient content. What's in a Food? Daily Reference Values and Percent Daily Value are both new under the NLEA. Daily reference values, or "daily values", are included for total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrate and fiber. The daily values provide recommendations for daily intake of the nutrients based on daily caloric intakes of 2000 and 2500 calories. Some of these daily values are maximums, as with total fat (65 grams or less). Others are minimums, as with carbohydrates (300 grams or more). Review the lower section of the sample nutrition panel on the preceding page. Daily values for each nutrient are less when fewer calories are eaten. Likewise, when caloric intakes are greater, daily values are higher. The percent daily values show how well the nutrients in a food fit into an overall daily diet with 2000 calories. The sample label, provided on the preceding page, shows that 5% of the daily value for total fat and 0% of the daily value for saturated fat are provided by one serving (based on a 2000 calorie intake). The percent daily values are higher when caloric intakes are less. For example, a child may consume 1500 calories per day. In which case, the percent daily value for each nutrient is greater than the percent daily value listed for a 2000 calorie diet. Some Things to Know About Breads and Bread Products Breads and bread products are creditable if whole-grain and/or enriched flour and/or meal is the primary ingredient by weight as specified on the label. Whole-grain refers to grains that include the bran, the germ and the endosperm. "Whole-grain flour" is made by grinding the entire grain. If a flour or meal does not contain all parts of the grain, it is not whole-grain. For example, oat bran and wheat germ are not whole grain. Refined grains have their coarse parts removed. Refined flour does not include the bran or germ. When the bran and germ are removed, some essential nutrients, including fiber, are lost. White bread and hot dog buns are examples of breads that are usually made from refined flours. Refined bread products are only creditable for the CACFP if they are enriched and/or fortified. Enrichment of bread or bread products refers to the process by which nutrients (thiamin (B1), niacin (B2), riboflavin (B3), and iron) are added to refined grains and grain products at levels specified by law. If the flour in the product is enriched, the ingredient statement will indicate that enriched flour was used. A bread product, rather than the flour, may also be enriched. In this case, the ingredient list will show that thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and iron were added to the product. |