The most useful supplement skill isn't picking products — it's reading labels. Five checks will tell you almost everything you need to know.
1. Serving size and servings per container
Two tubs at the same price are rarely the same value. Divide the price by the number of servings, and check whether a “serving” is one scoop or two. A 2 kg tub of Critical Whey and a 900 g tub of Instant Whey PRO tell very different value stories per shake.
2. Active doses
Look for products that state exactly how much of each active ingredient you're getting per serving — as reputable brands like Applied Nutrition, Reflex Nutrition, Naughty Boy, BioTechUSA and Grenade do. Be wary of vague “proprietary blends” that hide individual amounts.
3. Allergens
UK labels must emphasise allergens — usually in bold. Whey contains milk; marine collagen contains fish; some formulas contain soy or are made in facilities handling nuts and gluten. If you have a severe allergy, check every label, every time, and see our Allergen Information page.
4. Caffeine content
High-caffeine products carry a specific warning and a stated caffeine amount per serving. Add up everything you take in a day — pre-workout, fat burner, coffee — not just one product at a time.
5. Third-party testing
Marks like Informed Sport mean each batch is tested for banned substances — essential for competing athletes and reassuring for everyone else. You'll find it on several Applied Nutrition Professional products we stock.
The golden rules
- Follow the stated dose — more is not better
- Check the use-by date and storage advice
- When in doubt, ask us at support@cellform.co.uk before buying
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.