Buying food and wellness products online makes it easier to get hold of Asian groceries, original drinks, healthy snacks, protein bars and practical accessories for the home. But you still need to be able to compare more than just marketing promises that can sometimes be rather vague.
Three common pitfalls keep cropping up:
To shop smartly, it’s better to start with the information on the packaging and your real needs, rather than a pretty picture or a catch-all promise.
For imported foods, take the time to check the ingredients list, the country of origin, the net quantity and the storage conditions. An Asian drink like Famous House Grass Jelly Drink 320 ml contains water, grass jelly, cane sugar and a preservative. According to the available information, it provides 35 kcal and 8.5 g of sugars per 100 ml.
Protein bars deserve special attention. The Andros Sport High-Protein Bar Chocolate Peanut 55 g provides 20 g of protein per bar, but contains milk, peanuts and soya. The FULFIL Protein Bar Chocolate Peanut & Caramel also contains milk, soya and peanuts. If you have an allergy, statements like “may contain traces” should not be taken lightly.
A large pack is only worthwhile if it matches your consumption. Vacuum-packed waxy corn is handy for throwing together a meal or a side dish, but first check whether the pack contains two, six or twelve cobs.
The Dong Bei Nong Sao Yellow Waxy Corn 2 Pieces 300 g format contains two cobs, ready to eat. The Nongsao Yellow Waxy Corn 1.32 kg, containing 6 pieces × 2 pack is more suited to households that want to stock up. According to their product sheets, these foods should be stored in a cool, dry place and consumed quickly after opening.
For powdered drinks, individual sachets make it easy to measure each serving. Lemax Instant Ginger Drink with Lemon 240 g contains 20 sachets to be diluted in hot water. Its ingredients list shows 28% ginger powder, but also 88 g of sugars per 100 g: a fact to factor into your comparison, especially if you’re watching your sugar intake.
For a wellness item intended for the home, the features must match the intended use:
Food supplements, whether multivitamins for women, calcium or iron, require even more careful reading. The daily dose, reference nutrient intakes, allergens and warnings must be clearly stated. They are not a substitute for a balanced diet or a medical diagnosis.
Why this choice suits this profile: Its small size lets you try vacuum-packed waxy corn without ending up with a large stock. The cobs are ready to eat or heat up quickly.
The net weight, ingredients and storage instructions are all stated, so you can make a concrete comparison between this format and other pack sizes.
Two cobs, 300 g, vacuum-packed and can be prepared in the microwave or steamed.
Why this choice suits this profile: Its temperature settings and dedicated functions will appeal to tea, coffee or hot drink lovers who demand precise preparation.
The 1.3 l capacity, 800 W power and various functions are all detailed, rather than relying on a vague promise of speed.
Borosilicate glass, keep-warm function, display, night light and temperature programmes.
Why this choice suits this profile: Individually wrapped, these bars are easy to slip into a bag for a snack between meals or after a workout.
The amount of protein, sugars, fibre and the allergens are specified for each bar. That way you avoid relying solely on the advertised flavour.
15 g of protein, 1 g of sugars and individually wrapped according to the product sheet.
We’ve put together a comprehensive, regularly updated selection of products that meet these strict criteria, as well as the requirements of European safety regulations.
It depends on the product. Unopened vacuum-packed corn keeps until the date stated on the packaging. A canned or bottled drink, on the other hand, should be consumed quickly or placed in the fridge after opening, following the instructions. Always check the best-before date and the condition of the packaging.
Calculate the price per portion or per use. For a protein bar, divide the price of the pack by the number of bars. For a food supplement, compare the cost of a daily dose, without ever exceeding the recommended dose. For a kettle or a smart scale, also factor in any essential accessories, like the AAA batteries not included with some models.
It’s best to check the combined intake of vitamins and minerals, especially when several products contain iron, calcium or multivitamins for women. Read the labels carefully and ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice if you are on medication, pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a specific need.