In the age of “everything healthy,” it’s easy to fall for marketing traps disguised as good intentions. You walk into a supermarket, see a green label with a leaf and words like “natural,” “sugar-free,” or “with superfoods,” and think, “this must be good for me.” But when you take a closer look at the nutrition label and ingredient list, the story can change. This blog will teach you how to read nutrition labels critically and clearly, so you don’t get sold on “health” where there is none.
What to Look for First on a Label
1. Ingredient List:
This part is key. Ingredients are listed in order from highest to lowest quantity. If the first ingredients include sugar (or any of its many names), refined flours, or ultra-processed vegetable oils, that product may not be as healthy as it appears. The shorter and more recognizable the list, the better.
2. Serving Size:
Many labels manipulate perception by shrinking the serving size to make the numbers look lower. For example, a cookie may show only 5 grams of sugar per serving — but if the package contains 3 servings and you eat it all, that’s 15 grams!
3. Added vs. Natural Sugars:
Not all sugars are created equal. The sugar naturally found in fruit is not the same as added sucrose. Look for terms like corn syrup, glucose, fructose, maltose, dextrose, agave nectar, and others. If you see these, the product contains added sugar.
Pretty Words That Mean Nothing
Many labels use words like “natural,” “light,” “fit,” or “high in fiber” to create trust. But in many countries, these terms are unregulated, meaning they can be used even if the product isn’t truly healthy.
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“Natural”: Doesn’t mean chemical-free or unprocessed. A factory-made juice can be labeled “natural” and still be full of preservatives.
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“With superfoods”: A product might contain only 0.1% maca or quinoa and still advertise it boldly. Don’t be fooled by a big photo of one trendy ingredient.
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“Light”: Might mean less fat, but often comes with more sugar or additives to compensate for flavor.
Common Marketing Traps
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Showing large images of fruit on the label when the product only contains “artificial strawberry flavor” or “carmine color.”
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Using vague feel-good claims like “gives you energy,” “brightens your day,” or “100% wellness” with no real nutritional backing.
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Wrapping products in green packaging or adding leaves to look healthy, even if they’re full of ultra-processed ingredients or artificial additives.
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Adding “gluten-free” to products that are naturally gluten-free (like juices or yogurts) just to sound healthier.
What Makes Intikisa Different?
At Intikisa, we take a clear stance: health doesn’t need to be dressed up or disguised. Our products are made with ancestral Peruvian ingredients that have been used for generations for their real benefits — not because they’re trendy.
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We never use artificial flavors, colorants, or fillers that bulk up a product without adding real value to the body.
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Our superfoods — like tarwi, quinoa, cacao, and camu camu — aren’t just present; they’re the stars of every mix.
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Each formula is designed so that consumers feel a real difference in their energy, digestion, or overall well-being.
Conclusion
Reading a nutrition label is like learning to read between the lines. It’s not just about calories or grams of protein, but about the real quality of the food. What you eat directly affects how you feel, how you sleep, and how you think. That’s why it’s worth taking a few extra seconds in the supermarket to choose products that don’t just say they’re good… but prove it with their composition.
Intikisa is here to support you on that journey — with transparency, real ingredients, and nutritional power from the Andes.
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