5 Common Mistakes When Reading Food Labels

Introduction

Nutrition labels are powerful tools for making informed food choices, but they are often misinterpreted. Discover the five most frequent mistakes, how to avoid them, and how Luminatens can help you read labels more accurately.

Mistake 1 – Ignoring the Serving Size

Many consumers focus only on total calories without checking how many servings are in the package.

• Why it’s a problem: Nutrition values are listed per serving, not for the entire package.
• Typical consequence: A 200 g package with 2 servings of 100 g hides the fact that, if consumed entirely, it delivers double the calories, fats, and sugars.

How to fix it

• Always check “Servings per container” and “Serving size” on the Nutrition Facts label.
• Use Luminatens to automatically recalculate nutritional values and %DV based on the actual amount consumed.

Mistake 2 – Underestimating Added Sugars

“Total Sugars” often includes both natural sugars (from fruit or milk) and sugars added during processing.

• Why it’s a problem: Added sugars contribute to diabetes and obesity risk, but they are not always clearly indicated.
• Typical consequence: A product labeled “low sugar” may still exceed your daily limit for added sugars.

How to fix it

• Look for the “Added Sugars” line on the label and make sure it stays under 10% of your daily calorie intake.
• Filter foods by added sugar content using Luminatens to easily compare options.

Mistake 3 – Trusting “Light” or “Zero” Claims

Words like “light,” “diet,” or “fat-free” don’t necessarily mean healthier or lower-calorie products.

Why it’s a problem: “Fat-free” products often include added sugars, artificial sweeteners, or thickeners to compensate.

Typical consequence: You may consume similar calories or unwanted ingredients despite choosing the “light” version.

How to fix it

• Read the complete nutrition facts (calories, carbs, total fats).
• Use Luminatens to compare the “light” version with the standard one and reveal hidden differences.

Mistake 4 – Overlooking Sodium

Low-fat packaged foods can still contain high sodium levels, affecting cardiovascular health.

Why it’s a problem: Excess sodium raises the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.

Typical consequence: A single soup or ready meal may provide 100% of your daily sodium limit in one serving.

How to fix it

• Always check sodium in milligrams and its % Daily Value (%DV).
• Set a sodium threshold in Luminatens and get alerted when it's exceeded.

Mistake 5 – Forgetting Micronutrients

People often focus only on calories and macronutrients, neglecting essential vitamins and minerals.

Why it’s a problem: A healthy diet also requires proper intake of micronutrients like vitamin D, vitamin C, calcium, and iron.

Typical consequence: Low-calorie foods may lack essential nutrients, leading to long-term deficiencies.

How to fix it

• Check the presence and %DV of key micronutrients on the nutrition label.
• Use Luminatens to view a radar chart showing your micronutrient intake compared to daily needs.

Summary Table of Mistakes and Solutions

If you also want to know how to read food labels, check out our additional article!

Further Reading and Sources

1. FDA – How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label
2. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – Reading Food Labels
3. CDC – Added Sugars
4. American Heart Association – Sodium and Salt
5. Cleveland Clinic – Micronutrients: Types, Functions, Benefits