Learn about the % Daily Value
The % Daily Value (% DV) can help you make informed food choices. Look for it in the Nutrition Facts table on food packages.
It provides a quick overview of the nutrient profile of a food. As a rule of thumb, remember the following numbers:
% Daily Value,
5% is a little, 15% is a lot
This applies to all nutrients.
You can use the % DV to compare two different food products and make a better choice for you.
Or you can use the % DV to choose products that are higher in the nutrients you want more of and lower in the nutrients you want less of.
Nutrients you may want less of are:
For example:
Cereal A
| Amount | % Daily Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories 120 | |||
| Fat 1 g | 2 % | ||
| Saturated 0.2 g + Trans 0 g |
1 % | ||
| Cholesterol 0 mg | |||
| Sodium 170 mg | 7 % | ||
| Carbohydrate 23 g | 8 % | ||
| Fibre 7 g | 28 % | ||
| Sugars 5 g | |||
| Protein 3 g | |||
| Vitamin A | 0 % | Vitamin C | 0 % |
| Calcium | 2 % | Iron | 30 % |
Cereal B
| Amount | % Daily Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories 115 | |||
| Fat 0 g | 0 % | ||
| Saturated 0 g + Trans 0 g |
0 % | ||
| Cholesterol 0 mg | |||
| Sodium 150 mg | 6 % | ||
| Carbohydrate 27 g | 9 % | ||
| Fibre 1 g | 4 % | ||
| Sugars 10 g | |||
| Protein 2 g | |||
| Vitamin A | 0 % | Vitamin C | 0 % |
| Calcium | 2 % | Iron | 30 % |
Cereal A has a lot of fibre (28% DV).
Cereal B has a little of fibre (4% DV).
If fibre is a nutrient you want more of, Product A is a better choice for you.
Eating well is an important part of a healthy lifestyle!
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