Daily percentage values are featured on every food nutrition facts label. These numbers provide information about the amount of nutrients in your food, helping you to regulate portions and calories throughout the day.
Description
Percent daily values are based on the Food and Drug Administration's recommendations concerning the amount of each nutrient you should consume daily for a balanced diet. A nutrient percentage of at least 20 is considered high, while 5 percent and under is low.
Reference Values
A 2,000-calorie diet is used in determining recommendations for percent daily values. The Food and Drug Administration publishes reference values for each nutrient. For example, a 2,000-calorie diet should contain 65 g of fat, a total of 300 g of carbohydrates and 1,000 mg of calcium.
Benefits
Individuals with a different calorie regimen can still benefit from the information. The percentages offer a quick way to determine if a food is high or low in calories and substances such as carbohydrates, sugar, fats, sodium, cholesterol and vitamins. With this information, consumers are equipped to make smart choices about what they eat.
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