Media Release

March 10, 2003

Media Contacts:

Michelle Liebig
Health and Human Services
720.887.2216

Rosann Doran
Public Information Officer
303.438.6308

It’s National Nutrition Month

The Broomfield Health and Human Services Department is urging Broomfield residents to observe National Nutrition Month because good nutrition is vital to good health.

This year’s theme is Healthy Eating, Healthy You. Healthy eating habits and good nutrition can improve the quality of life and prevent illness. Rene Lindeen, HHS Public Health Nutritionist, says there are many ways to practice healthy eating.

The federal government requires every food item on the grocery shelf have a Nutrition Facts label. Learning to read a label or food package correctly from snacks to frozen and packaged foods is important. According to the food and nutrition experts at the American Dietetic Association, a few moments of label reading can pay big health dividends.

In the past few months there has been much focus on obesity, particularly in children. With obesity on the rise, Americans need to know the real serving size of the particular food.

Food labels also provide calories, fat, sodium, carbohydrates and protein content. All the factors on a food label add up to the nutrient benefits from that particular food.

Labels are required to have specific meanings, such as:

• Free - An amount so small that it probably won't have any effect -- for example, calorie-free," "fat-free" or "sodium-free"
• Low - A small amount of or low source of calories, fat or cholesterol
• Reduced - A food with at least 25 percent less calories, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol or sodium than a comparable food. Look at what it's being compared to.
• High - Twenty percent or more of the Daily Value for a nutrient -- for example, "high in vitamin C" or "high-calcium." Other terms are, "excellent source of," or "rich in."
• Good Source - Ten to 19 percent of the Daily Value for a nutrient -- for example, "good source of fiber" or terms such as "contains" or "provides"
• More - Ten percent or more of the Daily Value -- for example, "more fiber" or "more iron" or terms such as "enriched" or "fortified"
• Light - A third fewer calories or 50 percent less fat than the traditional version. "A low-calorie" or "low-fat" food with 50 percent less sodium might also be called "light" or "lite."
• Healthy - Low in fat and saturated fat, 60 milligrams or less cholesterol per serving, 480 milligrams or less sodium per serving, and at least 10 percent of the Daily Value per serving of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, protein and fiber. Raw frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are exceptions; they can be labeled "healthy" without having 10 percent of the daily value or more of these nutrients per serving.

For additional information, contact the Broomfield Health and Human Services Department at 720.887.2200.