When you pick up a pack of Skittles at the local convenience store, it is likely that you are not thinking about the nutritional facts in the nutrition guide the side of the pack. This nutrition guide is placed on food to provide a quick, informed summary of what you are ingesting. It may seen like common sense to know what you eat, but looking at the nutritional guide is often forgotten by consumers.

The information included in the nutrition guide include most if not all of the nutritional facts that one would need regarding the food product. Being conscious about this nutrition guide can help you control your calorie, fat, sodium or sugar intake, enabling you to follow all of the nutritional facts of the foods you are eating. This can be particularly useful when on a diet or when you are watching what you eat.

The truth is, however, that many consumers do not read the nutritional facts in the nutrition guide, and many more do not fully understand every thing that is listed. It is important to understand each section of the nutrition guide, as the label is nearly universal in its format, as well as the specific nutritional facts listed. The rest of this article will break down all of the nutritional facts listed on this label.

1. The Serving Size

This part of the nutrition guide is the first thing you see. This section lists the serving size and the number of servings in each package. All serving sizes use standardized measuring systems to allow easy comparison of other foods. Always pay attention to the serving size, as it is often a recommendation of how much you should eat. For example, if one serving of Pringles is 12 chips, do not finish the whole can!

2. Calories (and calories from fat)

This section of the nutrition guide lists the amount of calories per serving. Calories measure how much energy you will get from each serving. You should note the calories from fat section, as these calories are much more harmful to your body. For one serving, a low calorie count is approximately 50; a high calorie count is 400 or more. Be aware of this section, as eating too many calories is directly linked to gaining excess weight.

3. Nutrients

This part of the nutrition guide shows how many nutrients are consumed with each serving. There are typically two sections, one section of nutrients to limit (such as cholesterol and sodium) and one section of nutrients to aim for (vitamins or calcium, for example). Most Americans consume too much of the top section and not enough of the bottom section of nutrients. These nutritional facts can be used not only to limit bad nutrients, but to increase nutrients that help your health.

4. The Percent Daily Value (%DV)

The % Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie daily diet. Following this section of the nutrition guide is subjective — if you are trying to gain weight, you will likely eat more then 2,000 calories a day as an adult. Conversely, an individual who is dieting will eat less than the recommended 2,000 calories a day. This section of nutritional facts assists you in determining whether the serving of food is high or low in a particular nutrient. The percentage that you see on the label is the percentage of that particular nutrient, recommended for an adult on a 2,000 calorie diet, daily.