What Should I Look For In Food Nutrition Labels?

What is the main information to look at when checking out the nutrition labels on my food? I know you shouldn't look at just the calories or the fat grams- but what else is important to keep track of?

Anonymou answered:
I always look for trans-fats, partially hydrogenated oils (make sure there aren't any), sodium, calories and fat grams. Oh yeah and fiber is always a helpful ingredient.

Don M answered:
Look at calories
Look at % of calories from fat (or calculate it) -- Ideally, you want something that is less than 30% fat.
Look at sodium

Some things may surprise you: a York Peppermint Pattie -- which is CANDY -- is about 180 calories, of which maybe 20 are fat. Most "nutrition bars" are WAY higher in fat than that, and don't provide a significant source of protein, which most people get enough of anyway in their regular diets.

Jane answered:
fat grams
calories
sodium
protein

Depends on what your dietary needs are. some people had sodium problems, other are interested in keeping fats down.