You want to make healthier food choices, but let’s be honest—nutrition labels can feel like a foreign language. That confusion leads to frustration, and frustration keeps you from making progress on your health goals.

Here's the good news: it doesn’t have to be this way. Once you know how to read a food label, you'll never feel tricked again. You'll have the tools to make smart, confident decisions every time you shop.

Step 1: Start with the Serving Size

Everything on a nutrition label starts with the serving size.

Why it matters: The calories, nutrients, and daily values listed are based on this amount. If you eat double the serving size, you're eating double the calories and nutrients, too.

Pro tip: Always compare the serving size to the amount you actually eat. That tiny half-cup serving of ice cream? You probably ate more.

(A serving size isn’t about how much you should consume—it’s a standardized portion that manufacturers choose to display nutrition information.)

Step 2: Check the Calories

Calories tell you how much energy a food will give you.

Why it matters: If you're working on weight loss or just want to manage your energy, knowing the calorie content is essential.

Pro tip: For snacks, look for options under 200 calories per serving to stay on track.

Step 3: Look at the Macronutrients

The "big three" nutrients—fat, carbohydrates, and protein—are your next stop.

Fat: Look for foods low in saturated and trans fats (these raise cholesterol). Instead, choose unsaturated fats like those in nuts or avocados.
Carbohydrates: Focus on fiber (3g or more per serving) and keep added sugars low. Fiber supports digestion, while sugar gives you empty calories.
Protein: Protein is your powerhouse nutrient. It keeps you full and fuels your muscles.

When you balance these three macronutrients, your body gets what it needs to thrive.

Step 4: Watch Out for Added Sugars

This is where many products try to fool you. Added sugars sneak into everything from cereal to salad dressing.

Why it matters: Too much sugar adds calories without adding nutrients, leaving you tired and hungry later.

Pro tip: Keep added sugars under 25g per day for women and 36g per day for men (according to the American Heart Association).

Step 5: Understand Percent Daily Value (%DV)

The %DV is your cheat code for understanding nutrients in the big picture of your diet.

Low %DV: 5% or less means the nutrient is low.
High %DV: 20% or more means the nutrient is high.

Pro tip: Look for a high %DV for fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Aim for low %DV for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.

Step 6: Mind the Sodium

Too much sodium can cause bloating and high blood pressure.

Why it matters: The average person consumes more sodium than they realize. Aim for less than 2,300mg per day.

Pro tip: Look for products with less than 140mg of sodium per serving.

Step 7: Read the Ingredients List

If the nutrition facts are the "what," the ingredient list is the "why."

What to look for: Ingredients are listed in order of quantity, from highest to lowest. The first three ingredients matter most because they make up the bulk of the product.

Pro tip: Look for whole foods like "oats" or "nuts" at the top. If you see sugars, refined grains, or hydrogenated oils, it’s likely not healthy. Long ingredient lists? That’s often a sign of heavy processing.

Step 8: Don’t Be Fooled by Misleading Claims

The front of the package is marketing, not truth. Terms like "natural," "light," or "no added sugar" can be misleading. Here's what some of these claims really mean:

Light: Fewer calories or fat, but often more sugar.
Natural: It doesn’t mean healthy—it just means it came from something natural at some point.
Low-fat: Often loaded with sugar to make up for the lack of fat.

Step 9: Be a Label Detective

Some products hide sugar and other unwanted ingredients under different names.

What to look for: Sugar aliases like "cane sugar," "malt syrup," or "dextrose" can sneak into the ingredients list. If you see multiple types of sugar, the product is likely high in added sugars.

Step 10: Focus on Whole Foods

Here’s the truth: the easiest way to avoid misleading labels is to choose foods that don’t have labels. Fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains don’t need an ingredient list because they are the ingredients.

Final Thoughts: You're in Control

You don’t have to let confusing labels keep you from your health goals. By understanding how to read them, you’re taking control of your choices—and your health. Consider downloading the app Yuka to help you sort through all the food and cosmetics you use and their impact to your health.

Below are cheat sheets you can reference to learn more about the ingredients that are in your foods and common aliases food companies use to hide them.

Take care of yourself!

Michael Beiter

Personal Trainer

Nutrition, Sleep, Stress Management, and Recovery Coach

Learn more

10 Steps to Read Food Labels Like a Pro and Avoid the BS