Carb Smart Foods
A guide to making smart food choices
Many foods contain carbohydrates (carbs). On the nutrition fact label, carbohydrates in foods include dietary fiber, natural and added sugars. Shoppers are managing carb intake and product quality as part of their lifestyle choices, or as recommended by their health care provider. Our bodies require carbs, especially those high in a range of nutrients per calorie (nutrient dense).
How do you make better choices when it comes to Carbs? We have made it easier to enjoy delicious, nutritious foods with the Carb Smart shopping guide. The Carb Smart shopping guide includes nutrition standards used by federal and non-profit health organizations to encourage eating foods that offer nutrient benefits, such as:
- • Nutrient-dense whole foods
- • Items with recommended carbohydrate serving sizes, (15 gm/serving)
- • Reduced added sugars
- • Smaller amounts of sodium and saturated fats
The Carb Smart color guide on shelf tags in stores is orange, and may help time-crunched shoppers locate items that meet lifestyle goals. Please see the standards below for the full criteria. The Know Your Colors Program (https://cms-uat-pch.unataops.com/know-your-colors/) is intended for general nutrition information and not as a treatment for any issue or condition.
Look for the color indicators ‣
Each nutrition attribute has a unique color – “Heart Smart” is red, “Organic” is dark green. Look for the color bars on the shelf tag, or explore the color icons when you shop online. Scanning for colors at the shelf makes it quick and easy to find Low Sodium foods (yellow), Carb Smart foods (orange) or Gluten Free items (Blue). Shopping with your kids? Make it a game and energize your whole family to eat well! That is smart food shopping, simplified.
Carry your colors with you! Download our guide to making smart food choices.
1. On shelf tags in store
Color bars can be found here on the shelf tags
2. Online
Online icons can be found on the shopping page
We strive to highlight Carb Smart items on shelf tags and on website shopping resources, but due to data and product changes, all items that meet the standard may not be tagged. Please be sure the bar code/UPC number on the item matches the shelf tag item/UPC number.
The Carb Smart color guide on shelf tags in stores is orange, and may help time-crunched shoppers locate items that meet lifestyle goals. Please see the standards below for the full criteria. The Know Your Colors Program (https://cms-uat-pch.unataops.com/know-your-colors/) is intended for general nutrition information and not as a treatment for any issue or condition.
Please consult your healthcare provider and/or registered dietitian-nutritionist for information directly relating to individual health needs. Read the entire food label to get complete information on any product. It is anticipated that the Know Your Colors standards may be updated or changed as national guidelines, including the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, are revised to include new evidence and science. (https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/fda-nutrition-innovation-strategy) Please contact our Consumer Services Department with any questions. https://cms-uat-pch.unataops.com/about-us/customer-service/contact-us/
V1 1/2020