Eating a diet of nutrient-rich foods can have many health benefits. In addition to boosting mood, energy levels, and improving general health, a nutritious diet can also help reduce the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some cancers. One way people can make informed decisions about the foods they eat is to understand the information provided on the Nutrition Facts label.
In the first major update in over 20 years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now requiring packaged food and beverage manufacturers to refresh their Nutrition Facts label to help provide additional information to reduce preventable disease related to poor nutrition. Certain chain restaurants also must provide caloric and nutritional information for their menu items.
The following changes to the Nutrition Facts label are intended to help people better understand nutritional details, and hopefully, choose healthier products:
Nutrients now include added sugars, vitamin D, and potassium. Information no longer required includes calories from fat, as research shows the type of fat is more important than the amount, and vitamins A and C since deficiencies of these vitamins are rare today.
Serving information appears in large, bold font because people may not be aware that one package may contain more than one serving.
Calories appear in large, bold font, based on a daily 2,000-calorie diet. Daily caloric intake may vary.
Percent Daily Value (%DV) now shows how much a nutrient contributes to a total daily diet. Generally, 5% DV or less of a nutrient per serving is considered low and 20% is considered high.
Health Coaching & Online Support
Whether it’s making healthier choices to maintain body weight or manage a chronic illness, Sutter Health Plus offers access to programs and resources to help members achieve their health and wellness goals.
Sutter Health Plus members have access to a Health Coaching program at no cost share. The program provides one-on-one training with a personal health coach by telephone to assist with the development of self-management plans, set goals, and making healthier choices for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Members can enroll by calling 844-987-6095.
Members also have access to the Health and Wellness Site, available through the Member Portal. Here, members can take a personal health assessment, access action plan modules, and search an online health library for articles, videos, and interactive weight management tools.
Additional resources, including a library of webinars, health and nutrition tip sheets, and the latest immunization and screening recommendations, are available by visiting sutterhealthplus.org/wellness.
