How to read food labels?

Knowing how to properly read food labels and ingredient lists at the store is a crucial skill for anyone who wants to consciously control their health and weight. The first rule of reading ingredients states that all items are always listed in strict descending order of their mass proportion in the product, meaning the component present in the largest amount is indicated first.

Before assessing the calorie content or composition of a product, be sure to check the serving size indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging, as data on sugar and calories are often given for half of a small package, even though a person eats the whole thing. Pay special attention to the amount of added sugar, which can be hidden under dozens of different names such as maltodextrin, molasses, agave syrup, fructose, or concentrated juice.

Always compare the nutritional value of various products based on one hundred grams of weight, rather than one conditional serving, which each manufacturer determines at their own discretion. The general rule of quality nutrition is that the shorter the ingredient list on the back of the package and the fewer incomprehensible chemical names there are, the more natural and healthier that product is for your body.

To apply this knowledge in practice during every trip to the store, use a simple product check algorithm.