During our first week of class we learned that a significant number of athletes are not acquiring the proper amount of nutrients. One method that can help in determining how many nutrients you are acquiring is by paying attention to your food labels! In this week’s discussion we will practice reading food labels.

Your Tasks

Task 1- Choose a Product

Select a product that either at home or on the internet. Preferably, choose one that is a popular sports supplement (e.g., sport drink, energy bar, protein bar, protein shake, etc.).

Task 2- Examine the Food Label

Next, look at the nutrition information on the product’s package. Pay particular attention to the %DV and the ingredients list. It might be helpful to return to the Food Labels page in this week’s unit reading. 

Task 3- Original Post

Please address the following in your original post:

Name of the product. 

Which nutrients had a %DV of 5% or less? 

Which nutrients had a %DV of 10-19%? 

Which nutrients had a %DV of 20% or more? 

1. Were there any ingredients that you were unfamiliar with? If so, which ones? 

Was there anything about the food label or package that you found confusing? Or was it straight forward? Explain. 

1. Would you recommend that an athlete consume this product? Why or why not? 

In your opinion, why are food labels important? 

1. What are general recommendations, given what you have learned thus far in the class, that you would give to an athlete who is looking to try a new nutrition product?

Task 4- Peer Response 

1. Respond to at least 2 classmate’s posts. Do you agree with their recommendations? Explain. Also, what more would you add to what they provided in this post?