Main types of food labelling are traffic light labelling and GDA (Guideline Daily Amounts)
The traffic light colours on some packaging tell you if the product contains, high, medium or low amounts of fats, salts and sugars.
The table below shows how the traffic light symbols are worked out per 100g of product.
GUIDELINE DAILY AMOUNTS
The GDA gives information on the amounts of sugars, energy, types of fat and salt usually per portion of product. This is then shown as a percentage of the total amount of the nutrient that is recommended for an average adult per day (Average adult of normal weight requirements will vary depending on age and activity levels)
| GUIDELINE DAILY AMOUNTS | ||
| MEN | WOMEN | |
| Calories | 2500Kcals | 2000kcals |
| Fat | 95g | 70g |
| Saturated | 30g | 20g |
| Carbohydrate | 300g | 230g |
| Sugars | 120g | 90g |
| Salt | less than 6g | same |
| Fibre | 24g | same |
COUNTING YOUR CARBS
It is beneficial for some people with Type 2 Diabetes to count the amount of carbohydrate eaten at each meal to help maintain and control blood glucose levels.
When looking for the total carbohydrate double check that it is represented per portion or per 100g .If per 100g this may not be the weight of your portion so you may need to work this out.
Remember the amount of carbohydrate you should count is TOTAL CARBOHYDRATE and not OF WHICH SUGARS.
This product contains 140kcals and total carbohydrate of 15g but a low sugar content of only 2g.
Sometimes the carbohydrate content is shown on the back of the product and only the sugar content on the front but remember that it is the TOTAL CARBOHYDRATE effecting blood glucose rise.