The Food Label and You: Game Show Review (Are You Smarter Than A Food Label?) (Historical PSA)

Summary

In the game show 'Are You Smarter Than a Food Label?', host Label Dan challenges contestant Tim Patrick on his knowledge of food labels and nutrition. Tim answers a series of questions, including topics like serving sizes, calorie counts, the 5-20 rule, and how to make healthy food choices. As Tim progresses through the game, he demonstrates his understanding of nutritional facts, earning the grand prize by correctly recalling the three key things to remember when making healthy food choices. The show emphasizes the importance of understanding food labels for better nutrition and health decisions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Serving size is determined by a predetermined portion found on the nutrition facts label, not by the size of the package or the weight of the person eating it.
• 😀 The calorie section on the nutrition facts label shows the calories per serving, not the entire package.
• 😀 The 5-20 rule helps determine if a food is low or high in a specific nutrient based on its Daily Value (DV). 5% DV or less is considered low, and 20% DV or more is considered high.
• 😀 For healthy food choices, it's important to aim for a low intake of saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, and a higher intake of nutrients like calcium, fiber, and vitamins A, C, and iron.
• 😀 Restaurants and food chains often provide nutritional information on their menus, websites, or even on takeout wrappers.
• 😀 It is possible to know the nutritional value of a meal away from home, as many places now list nutrition facts publicly.
• 😀 The nutrition facts label includes important information such as serving size, number of servings, calories, and nutrient breakdowns.
• 😀 The serving size on a food label can differ from the actual size of the package, so it’s important to pay attention to the number of servings listed.
• 😀 The 5-20 rule is helpful for making healthier choices; look for foods with a low DV for harmful nutrients and a high DV for beneficial ones.
• 😀 Knowing the percentage of daily values on food labels helps guide healthier dietary decisions, focusing on nutrients that are either beneficial or harmful depending on your needs.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the game show 'Are You Smarter Than a Food Label?'

The purpose of the game show is to test contestants' knowledge about food labels, including nutritional information and how to interpret it.

Who is the host of the show, and what is his role?

The host of the show is Label Dan, who is the FDA's graphic representation of the nutrition facts label.

What does the nutrition facts label on a food package include?

The nutrition facts label includes the serving size, the number of servings, and other important nutritional information.

What determines the serving size on a nutrition facts label?

The serving size is a predetermined portion, easily found on the nutrition facts label, not based on the size of the package or the weight of the person eating it.

Why is it important to understand the calorie section of the nutrition facts label?

It is important because the calorie section shows the number of calories per serving, not per package, which can affect how much you consume.

What is the 5-20 rule, and how does it help with food choices?

The 5-20 rule helps determine if a food is low or high in a particular nutrient. A daily value (DV) of 5% or less indicates low, while 20% or more indicates high.

Can you give examples of nutrients that are recommended to have a low or high daily value?

You want a low daily value of saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, and a high daily value of calcium, fiber, and vitamins A, C, and iron.

Is it possible to know the nutritional value of a meal when eating out or ordering takeout?

Yes, many restaurants and food chains now provide nutritional information on their menus, websites, or even on takeout wrappers. If it's not available, you can always ask.

What is the key message from Tim's final question in the game show?

The key message is to remember three things when making healthy food choices: calories, servings, and percent daily value.

What happens if a contestant passes on a question during the game show?

The contestant is allowed only one pass before being disqualified from the game.