Do You Really Know What You’re Buying? Learn How to Read Food Labels
When we go shopping, we often choose a product based on what we see on the front of the packaging: “natural”, “no added sugar”, “organic”, “source of fibre”… But if we really want to know what it contains, the most useful information is usually on the back.
Start with the ingredients list
There is one very simple rule: ingredients are listed from highest to lowest quantity. This means that the first ingredients on the list are the ones present in the greatest amount. So, simply looking at the first three or four ingredients can already tell us quite a lot about what we are buying.
It is also worth checking what type of oil or fat has been used and taking a look at values such as sugars, saturated fat, salt and fibre.
Sugar isn’t always called “sugar”
This is one of the details that can easily go unnoticed. On a food label, sugar may also appear as glucose, fructose, sucrose, dextrose, maltose or as part of different syrups, among other names.
The same applies to fats: for example, you may find olive oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, palm oil or hydrogenated fats.
Knowing exactly what a product contains makes it much easier to compare it with similar options.
Comparing products can also help
If you are choosing between two cereals, two types of biscuits, two yoghurts or two snacks, try something very simple: compare their labels.
Look at the first ingredients listed and the nutritional information per 100 g or 100 ml. In just a few seconds, you may spot differences that are not so obvious when you only look at the packaging design or the claims on the front.
The aim is not to find “perfect” products, but to have more information to decide which option suits us best.
Small habits for more conscious shopping
At Veritas Estepona Park, they also share this kind of practical advice to help us understand a little better the food we take home.
👉 You can see their post here on Instagram and discover more tips related to food and everyday habits.
And if you are looking for breakfast, snack or treat ideas for children, you can also take a look at the Veritas kids’ selection and use the same simple tricks when comparing products.
Next time you shop at Estepona Park, try something very simple: before choosing, spend a few seconds checking what is really inside the package.
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