The Power of Reading the Food Label

The Nutrition Facts label is one of the most powerful tools in the grocery store. In just seconds, it can help you compare products, reduce added sugars, lower sodium, and choose foods that support heart and metabolic health.

Start with serving size — it sets the stage for everything else. Then scan:

• Added sugars (aim for less than 10% of total calories)

• Sodium (stay mindful of the 2,300 mg daily limit)

• Saturated fat (keep under 10% of calories)

• Fiber (choose foods with 3g or more per serving)

Don’t forget the ingredient list. Shorter lists with recognizable ingredients usually mean less processing.

When we teach students and clients how to decode labels, we give them lifelong decision-making skills — and that’s real nutrition power.

Check out our food label education materials

AND our new English-Spanish food label cards that make reading labels in the store easy.