EXPERIENCE IN EXTENSION: "NUTRITIONAL FACTS: KNOW WHAT YOU CONSUME"

Abstract

The extent of experience "Nutritional Labeling: know what you eat" is an action guided by food and nutrition education, where nutrition information on labels are used as a tool to bring information and clarification to the target audience. The project was designed from the concern about the high prevalence of chronic diseases related to the fragile knowledge in education and health of the general population, including with respect to the interpretation of food labels. The objective of teaching the correct interpretation of labeling was extrapolated to encouraging healthy eating habits through the consumption of natural foods rather than processed foods high fat, responsible in part for the increase of these diseases. It was observed that most of the participants does not have the habit of reading food labels and / or do not have enough knowledge to understand terms like contains / does not contain gluten, phenylalanine, diet, light, and even simpler terms like protein, carbohydrates, cholesterol and others. Most respondents reported only check the label to determine the expiration date; others, because they are carriers (or live with a carrier) of a disease that restricts certain food component or additives present in these, because they are "triggers" of allergy or food intolerance, for example. In general, this project enabled contact with different audiences in relation to socioeconomic and cultural characteristics, but similar difficulties by Topic labeling. The educational activities are therefore a means of promoting healthy eating, increasing the participants to perform better food choices and disseminate knowledge in the family or community to which they belong.