How to Read a Supplement Label Like a Pro

1. Start With the Serving Size

Before looking at protein, calories, carbohydrates, or other nutrients, check the serving size.

A product may highlight impressive numbers on the front, but those numbers need to be understood in the context of how much product constitutes one serving.

For example, Dymatize Elite 100% Whey Gourmet Vanilla lists a serving size of one scoop (34g), providing 25g of protein. When comparing supplements, always compare the nutrients based on their respective serving sizes rather than looking at the front-of-pack numbers alone. 

2. Check the Protein Content

If you’re buying a protein supplement, naturally, protein should be one of the first numbers you check.

But don’t stop at the grams of protein. Look at the type and source of protein too.

Dymatize ISO100, for example, delivers 25g of protein per serving and uses hydrolyzed whey protein isolate. The product is filtered to remove excess lactose, carbohydrates, fat, and sugar. ISO100 typically contains no more than 120 calories and 1g of sugar per serving.

Dymatize Elite 100% Whey also provides 25g of protein per serving. It uses a whey protein blend and is designed as an anytime protein option that can be consumed around workouts or incorporated into smoothies, snacks, and recipes.

Understanding the protein source gives you a much clearer picture of what’s actually in your supplements.

3. Look Beyond Protein

Protein may be the star of your protein powder, but the rest of the nutrition panel matters too.

Check:

• Calories per serving

• Total carbohydrates

• Total sugars and added sugars

• Total fat and saturated fat

• Sodium

• Cholesterol

Your ideal nutritional profile depends on your overall diet, training routine, and personal goals.

For instance, Dymatize ISO100 provides 25g of protein with up to 120 calories and no more than 1g of sugar per serving. Elite 100% Whey provides 25g of protein with up to 140 calories and 2g of sugar per serving. 

4. Read the Ingredients List

The nutrition panel tells you how much of different nutrients you’re consuming. The ingredients list helps explain where they come from.

Ingredients are generally listed in descending order by weight, so pay particular attention to the first few ingredients.

For example, the Dymatize Elite 100% Whey Gourmet Vanilla ingredient list begins with a whey protein blend containing whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, and hydrolyzed whey protein concentrate.

Checking this section also helps you identify allergens. Elite 100% Whey Gourmet Vanilla, for example, declares milk and soy on its ingredient information.

5. Understand BCAAs and Leucine

When evaluating high quality supplements for training and recovery, you may also see information about amino acids.

Dymatize ISO100 provides 5.5g of BCAAs and 2.6g of leucine per serving, while Elite 100% Whey lists 5.5g of BCAAs and 2.7g of leucine per serving.

Rather than being distracted by one big number on the front of a pack, looking at the complete nutritional profile helps you understand how the product fits into your routine.

6. Check Testing and Quality Information

Quality isn’t only about protein quantity. Look for information about product testing, manufacturing standards, allergens, and other certifications or claims that matter to you.

Dymatize states that both ISO100 and Elite 100% Whey are banned-substance tested. This is particularly relevant for serious athletes who want to be more informed about the products they include in their nutrition routine.

FAQs

1. What should I check first on a supplement label?
Start with serving size, followed by the amount and source of the primary nutrient, such as protein. Then review calories, carbohydrates, sugars, fats, ingredients and allergen information.

2. What’s actually in your supplements?
The ingredients list provides the clearest answer. For protein powders, check whether the protein comes from whey concentrate, whey isolate, hydrolyzed protein or a blend of different protein sources.

3. What is hydrolyzed whey protein?
Hydrolyzed protein has undergone processing that breaks proteins into smaller components. Dymatize describes ISO100 as using hydrolyzed whey protein isolate for fast absorption and digestion. 

4. How much protein does Dymatize ISO100 provide?
Dymatize ISO100 provides 25g of protein per serving, along with 5.5g of BCAAs and 2.6g of leucine. 

5. How do I choose high quality supplements?
Read the complete label rather than relying only on front-of-pack claims. Consider the ingredient sources, nutritional profile, serving size, allergen information and relevant quality or testing information before making your choice.