The label is mainly for comparing similar products. It's not necessary to decide if a food is “good” or “bad” from just one number.
Four Steps
- Real food name: clarifies which product you are buying.
- Ingredients list: appears in order of decreasing quantity.
- Nutritional values per 100 g or 100 ml: facilitate comparing brands.
- Typical serving: contextualizes what you actually consume.
Claims That Need Context
“Natural”, “artisanal”, “fitness” or “no added sugar” do not summarize the product profile. “No added sugar” can contain naturally occurring sugars; check the entire food item.
The Best Shortcut
Compare two or three options in the same category and choose the one that best fits your goal, paying special attention to ingredients, salt, sugar, and saturated fats.
