“Light”, “zero” and “no added sugar”: always read the label

I like to run a small experiment when I am on holiday: take two versions of the same product, the traditional one and the «light» one, and compare their labels. The result is usually revealing.

A real example: dulce de leche

Traditional version, per 100 g: 315 kcal, 55 g of carbohydrate and 8 g of fat. Zero version, per 100 g: 300 kcal, 40 g of carbohydrate and 11 g of fat. That is fifteen calories less per hundred grams, less sugar but more fat. Per spoonful, the difference is about three calories.

And the price?

The zero version cost more than twice as much. The question I leave you with is simple: would you pay double to save three calories per spoonful?

What to do instead

«Light», «zero» or «no added sugar» are marketing claims, not nutritional guarantees. Turn the package around and look at the table: calories, carbohydrates, fats and the ingredient list. If the product is still ultra-processed, it will stay ultra-processed under the green label.