Protein
A macronutrient that contributes to normal body functions, found in meat, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes, nuts and seeds. More protein does not automatically make a product better.
Nutrition Guide
Nutrition without the noise.
Nutrition advice can become complicated very quickly.
This guide focuses on the information you are most likely to see on a food label, including protein, carbohydrates, fat, fibre, sugars and salt, and explains what each one means in plain English so you can compare packaged products with more confidence.
Start with the basics
Carbohydrates
Sugars and starches. An important source of energy. The quality and context of the food containing them matters.
Fat
An essential nutrient. Labels separate total fat from saturated fat and may give information about other types of fat.
Fibre
Found in foods such as whole grains, legumes, fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
Sugars
Not a single category nutritionally. Labels can distinguish total sugars from added sugars depending on the labelling system used.
Salt
Salt contributes sodium to the diet. EU labels generally declare salt rather than sodium in the mandatory nutrition declaration.
Nutrition is a pattern
One number on one label cannot describe an entire diet.
Sláinte's purpose is to help you make more informed product level decisions.
Sources
Last reviewed: August 2026