Google PlayReading labels
Everything we have written about Reading labels, newest first.
11 articles · All articles
Expiration date vs. best-by date: what they actually mean
Most date labels on food are about peak quality, not safety, and the difference costs households real money.
How to read a food label in under 10 seconds
You don't need to study every line on a nutrition label — four quick checks cover most of what matters in under 10 seconds.
What does 'natural flavors' actually mean on an ingredient list?
'Natural flavors' refers to where a flavor compound came from, not how simple or minimally processed it is.
Low sodium, very low sodium, sodium free: what the label claims actually mean
These phrases are tied to specific thresholds, not marketing adjectives.
'High protein' on a label: what it actually has to contain
A 'high protein' claim is tied to a percentage of your daily value, and it isn't always the number you'd guess.
'Made with whole grains' vs. 100% whole grain: the difference that matters
A single whole grain, even a tiny amount of one, is enough to legally justify the phrase 'made with whole grains.'
Aspartame, sucralose, and stevia: how the common sweeteners compare
Three very different sweeteners, three different reputations, and mostly the same practical bottom line.
What does a 'Non-GMO' label actually mean?
A Non-GMO label tells you about a plant's DNA, not about how healthy the product is.
Fortified vs. enriched: what the difference actually means
One term means nutrients were added back in; the other means nutrients were added that weren't there to begin with.
Stevia vs. sugar: what changes when you switch?
Stevia drops the calories and the blood sugar spike, but it doesn't rewrite the rest of your diet for you.
Monk fruit sweetener explained: is it actually better?
Monk fruit skips the blood sugar spike, same as stevia, but the tabletop version is rarely pure monk fruit.