Five key nutrients: Energy, Fat, Saturates, Sugar and Salt
Using nutrition labels can help when evaluating how a particular food fits into daily nutrient intakes and can help manage intakes of energy as well as other key nutrients: fat, saturates, sugars and salt.
Although these key nutrients form an important part of a balanced diet,
over-consumption over a long period of time combined with a lack of physical
activity is
associated with weight gain and obesity which increases risk of poor health and
various diseases.
The Reference Intakes (RIs) used on labels are based on an average woman
consuming 2000 kcals a day, so consumers who differ greatly from this (i.e.
intensely
physically active, inactive, pregnant/breast feeding and those on a special
diet
for whatever reason) will need to seek specific nutrition advice for their
needs.
Last reviewed: 28 Aug 2020