Reading Nutrition Labels Guide

Nutrition labels in Thailand are often in Thai only. Here is a quick reference guide to the most common nutritional terms, units, and food label words in Thai with their English equivalents.

You are what you eat” is the important idea of living a healthy life. Before putting that snack or chocolate into your mouth, do you know how much fat and how many calories you’re eating? Or does it contain MSG, preservatives, or trans fats?

Normally, this information is clearly stated on the nutrition label. However, here in Thailand, this information might only be available in Thai.

Key Takeaways

  • Thai nutrition labels use the same nutrients as Western labels but the text is in Thai, so knowing the key terms helps you make informed choices.
  • The label always lists total calories, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, protein, carbohydrates, sugar, and sodium.
  • Watch for words like ผงชูรส (MSG) and สารกันบูด (preservative) if you prefer to avoid these additives in your food.
  • If you want to eat clean, Bangkok has good options for organic food and you can also get a health check-up in Bangkok to track how your diet is affecting your body.
  • Understanding food labels is one simple step you can take to stay fit in Thailand alongside regular exercise.

Here’s a list of nutritional words in Thai and their English equivalents. If you prefer to shop from home, check out the guide to grocery delivery in Bangkok to order from supermarkets that carry English-labeled products.

  • ก. gram
  • มก. Milligram
  • แคลอรี่ Calorie
  • กิโลแคลอรี่ KCal.
  • พลังงานทั้งหมด Calories
  • พลังงานจากไขมัน Calories from fat
  • ไขมันทั้งหมด Total Fat
  • ไขมันอิ่มตัว Saturated Fat
  • ไขมันทรานส์ Trans Fat
  • โคเลสเตอรอล Cholesterol
  • โปรตีน Protein
  • คาร์โบไฮเดรต Carbohydrate
  • ใยอาหาร Dietary Fiber
  • น้ำตาล Sugar
  • โซเดียม Sodium
  • วิตามิน เอ Vitamin A
  • วิตามิน บี Vitamin B
  • วิตามิน ซี Vitamin C
  • วิตามิน อี Vitamin E
  • แคลเซียม Calcium
  • เหล็ก Iron

Here’s a list of words you’ll normally see on the product packages.

  • ไม่ใส่ Didn’t add
  • น้อยกว่า Less than
  • มากกว่า More than
  • ผงชูรส MSG
  • โมโนโซเดียมกลูตาเมต MSG (official name)
  • สารกันบูด Preservative
  • กลูเตน Gluten
Photo of author

Thailand Starter Kit creates free guides for anyone looking to work, live, retire, study, or start businesses in Thailand. Feel free to reach out with suggestions and article requests.

Read in Other Languages
This article is also available in:
Deutsch Deutsch:
Leitfaden zum Lesen von Nährwertangaben
Français Français:
Guide pour lire les étiquettes nutritionnelles
Español Español:
Guía para leer etiquetas de nutrición