Reading food labels can feel like a tricky puzzle. With so much tiny text, it’s easy to get confused. Many people find it hard to understand the big words and health claims. This can lead to making not-so-great food choices.

Important Ingredients to Check:

1. Added Sugars:

   • These can be sneaky! They often go by different names, like high fructose corn syrup. Try to choose foods with little or no added sugars.

2. Sodium:

   • Too much sodium can be bad for your health. Look for anything with more than 2,300 mg of sodium per serving.

3. Trans Fats:

   • Sometimes they say there are 0 g of trans fats. But watch out for "partially hydrogenated oils" on the ingredient list.

4. Artificial Ingredients:

   • Be careful about extra chemicals and preservatives. They can be harmful to your health.

5. Whole Grains:

   • Look for whole grains listed as the first ingredient. This means the food is healthier.

Tips:

To make reading labels easier, you can use a smartphone app that helps explain them. You might also consider taking an online nutrition class. Learning about food can help you make better choices, even when labels are confusing.