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How to Read a Food Label — And Why That’s Important
A registered nutritionist breaks down how to actually read and interpret a food label.
Before doing a master’s degree in nutrition and public health, if I saw low fat, heart-healthy, or natural on a food label, I’d think “Oohh, a good choice then.” But here’s what I’ve learned: food packaging is a marketing trap.
Most of it is total bullshit.
If you’re guilty of rarely flipping the box over and actually reading what’s in your food, it’s time to start. But even if you do try and read the label, do you even know what to look for? It’s not about being dumb or smart enough to decipher the truth — it’s about whether you can even decipher fact from fiction based on what’s presented to you in sleazy, subversive language.
Those flashy labels on the front are designed to distract you from what’s really going on inside.
Understanding how to read a food label isn’t just a neat skill. It’s a non-negotiable if you care about your health, your energy, your weight, or your long-term disease risk.
A study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that people who consistently read food labels consumed fewer calories, less fat, and made healthier choices overall. Another…
