The Chemistry of Life – Organic Molecules in Foods
Lab Activity
Objective: Analyze food labels looking for hidden Carbohydrates, Lipids and Proteins
Materials: Food labels, activity worksheet, pencil
Introduction:
If you are trying to limit the amount of sugar that you ear, you must read packaged food labels carefully. The ingredients on the label are listed in order from most to least. Find a food label for each food listed in Data Table 1. Read each label. Then count and record the number of ingredients. Write the kind of sugar, if any, in the food. Look for these terms for “hidden” sugars: glucose, fructose, sucrose, dextrose, galactose, lactose, cane sugar, molasses, honey, corn syrup or corn sweetener. Record the position of the sugar in the ingredients list.
Procedure: Read the food labels and complete the chart below.
Data Table 1: Sugar in Packaged Foods
Food / # of ingredients total / List of sugar(s) and Position on list / How many carbs / How many proteins (gms) / How many fats?Canned Pears
Mac and Cheese
Peanut butter
Baked beans
Gatorade
Apple juice
Cereal
Canned corn
Soup
Tuna Fish
Analysis Questions: answer in COMPLETE sentences
Use the information listed in the data table to answer question 1 – 2.
1. Which food can you infer has the most sugar? Explain
2. In what types of food did you find the most sugar (drinks, fruits, …)?
3. How can a food label have carbohydrates listed when sugar is not in the ingredients?
4. What do our bodies use carbohydrates for?
5. What does our body use fats for?
6. What does our body use proteins for?
7. Why is it important to pay attention to food labels?
8. Besides sugars, what other things in food should you be aware of that may lead to disease?