Understanding the Nutrition Facts Label: Fats and Cholesterol

The Nutrition Facts label is a useful tool for making healthier food choices. The label makes it easier to compare products and tells you the nutritional content of the food based on a standard serving size. Our bodies need fat to survive. Fat helps regulate body temperature, protects our organs, makes hormones, and helps our body absorb essential vitamins. The National Academy of Medicine recommends adults obtain 20–35% of calories from fat. People with diabetes should choose foods lower in saturated and trans fat.