Have you ever looked at a nutrition label and felt overwhelmed by all the numbers and vocabulary in that cryptic white box? Most grocery shoppers are in the same boat. Nutrition labels contain important information about the contents of what you’re eating, as well as the daily required percentages of each nutrient or mineral. You don’t need to necessarily understand how every element affects your body, but there are a few important components you should assess when you’re reading a nutrition label.

Once you know how each nutrition component contributes to your overall health, these labels aren’t that hard to decipher. Next time you’re out grocery shopping, look for these four critical items on the nutrition label to ensure the foods you’re buying will benefit your body.

Feature Photo: Roman Pohorecki