Does a "no added sugar" label automatically mean a product is healthy?

Supermarket shelves increasingly feature products labeled "no added sugar" or "reduced sugar content." Such labels often give shoppers the impression that these are automatically healthier choices, but nutritionist Guna Rijkure encourages a more critical look at what lies behind them.

Sugar in moderation is not the enemy

Rijkure emphasizes that sugar itself is not something to be feared or avoided entirely. The key is moderation and understanding the recommended daily limits. Problems arise not from the mere presence of sugar in one's diet, but from excessive consumption, which often happens without people noticing.

What the labels actually mean

The nutritionist points out that it is important for consumers to understand what is actually hidden behind these popular packaging claims. A "no added sugar" label does not mean a product contains no sugar at all — it may still contain naturally occurring sugars, for example from fruit or dairy. Meanwhile, "reduced sugar" only indicates a comparison to the standard version of the product, not that the product overall is low in calories or healthy.

Does it mean the product is good

The central question Rijkure raises is whether such labeling automatically qualifies a product for inclusion on the list of healthy, recommended foods. The answer is not clear-cut — consumers are advised not to rely solely on front-of-package claims, but to also check the ingredient list and nutritional information table to get a true picture of what the product contains.

The nutritionist concludes that making an informed choice requires a deeper understanding of what food labels mean, rather than relying only on marketing phrases printed on the packaging.