Nutrition Information Panels
All manufactured foods sold in Australia must display a Nutrition Information Panel that includes the amounts of energy (kilojoules), protein, total fat, saturated fat, total carbohydrate, sugar and sodium (salt) in the food. Some foods also display the fibre and calcium contents. These panels are usually found on the reverse of the packet and display the amounts per 100g as well as per serving.
Look very carefully at the serving size quoted as it is often much smaller than you would usually eat in one sitting, or each item may contain more than one serving even though it appears to be a single portion. For example, a standard 375ml can of Diet Coke actually contains 1.88 standard servings even though it is very likely that someone would drink the whole can at one sitting.
Understanding Nutrition Information Panels
Both parents and children should learn to read Nutrition Information Panels and actively employ the practice each time they go to the supermarket. Reading a Nutrition Information Panel isn't too hard and can be taught in a fun and interactive way. Please note that milk should be assessed as a food rather than a drink because of its beneficial levels of protein and calcium compared to other drinks.
The Parents' Jury has designed a Nutrition Guide for Shoppers which shows you at-a-glance the low, medium and high levels of fat, sugar and sodium that you should look for on a Nutrition Information Panel.
When you shop with your child take the time to stop and read the Nutrition Information Panel on foods that you purchase regularly. Look at the ‘per 100g' column and check the amounts of fat, sugar and sodium it contains. Think about whether the food is a healthy option and if it is not check similar products to see if you can find an alternative. It is also worth looking at the levels of other nutrients such as calcium, fibre and energy to help you make the best choice.