This is the first number to look at since all dietary information provided on the label applies to serving size. It is a standardized measure making it easy to compare foods. For example, the serving size will tell you that 1 serving of Alpine Lace^® Pre-Sliced Deli Cheese is 1 slice (35 g).

A calorie is a measure of how much energy you get from a serving of food. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended levels of caloric intake per day for adults and children. Calories listed on the nutrition label can help you manage your weight. For example, the number of servings you eat determines the calories you eat. Eating too many calories each day is related to obesity.

Don't let the name fool you - fat is an important part of your diet. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can protect your heart and help your body absorb vitamins and minerals. Limit saturated and trans fats since they can increase your risk of heart disease.

Cholesterol is found in animal products such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Total daily cholesterol should be limited to no more than 300 milligrams for a healthy heart and circulatory system.

Sodium is a mineral and is naturally found in food. Sodium is needed to keep body fluids in balance, to regulate blood pressure, to transmit nerve impulses and to help your muscles relax. Though sodium is beneficial to good health, eating too much sodium can have an adverse effect on health. The recommended daily limit for adults is 2300 milligrams a day. Choosing reduced sodium foods, such as Alpine Lace^® Reduced Fat Reduced Sodium American Cheese, will help you stay within those guidelines.

Carbohydrates include both sugars and starches and are the body's main energy source. There is no specific advice about how many carbohydrate to eat each day. However, some experts advise consuming about 55 to 60% of your total daily calories from carbohydrates. In a 2000 calorie per day diet that is 1,100 calories or more from carbohydrates.

Dietary fiber is a complex carbohydrate that your body cannot digest or absorb into the bloodstream. Fiber is still an important part of a healthy lifestyle, contributing to a healthy digestive system, and may lower cholesterol levels. Foods high in dietary fiber include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

If sugars are eaten in moderation they can be a part of a healthy diet. They add taste, aroma, texture, color and body to foods. You will find sugars in a variety of foods from milk and fruit to grain products.

Proteins are considered the building blocks of the human body. They provide energy, help your muscles and organs function well, and are essential to good bone health. For a food to be a good source of protein, it should offer at least 5 grams of protein per serving. A single slice of Alpine Lace^® Pre-Sliced Deli Swiss Cheese provides 10 grams of protein per serving.

It is important to reach your goal of 100% of the Daily Value for Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium and iron, the vitamins and minerals listed on the nutrition label. These nutrients may help to reduce the risk of some diseases: For example, getting enough calcium may reduce the risk of osteoporosis. One slice of Alpine Lace^® Pre-Sliced Swiss Cheese is an excellent source of calcium at 35% of the recommended daily value per serving.

The Daily Values (DV) percentages show how much of each nutrient one serving provides in a 2000 calorie diet. The percent can help you determine if the food is high or low in a nutrient. For the label here, one slice of Alpine Lace^® Pre-Sliced Deli Swiss Cheese provides 11% of the total fat and 35% of the calcium recommended for the day.