Check Your Labels Twice
Our country is known for many great things, but unfortunately, our food labeling system is not one of them. Much of the information on packaged goods is intentionally misleading, no matter how trustworthy the packaging may seem. There are several claims commonly found on food packages that can be deceiving. Here are seven of the most common ones.
Gluten-Free
Before paying extra for a gluten-free product, consider whether it truly needed gluten in the first place. Many products naturally do not contain gluten, so be cautious of falling for a higher price tag. Remember, just because something is gluten-free does not automatically make it healthier than other options.
Wheat and Grain
Words like “multi-grain” or “made with wheat” on packaging may not necessarily indicate a product is entirely wheat or grain-based. Look for products that are specifically labeled as 100% whole grain or 100% wheat to ensure you’re getting what you expect. Phrases like “multi-grain” or “made with wheat” can be misleading.
Made With Real Fruit and Veggies
Even products claiming to be made with real fruit or vegetables may contain minimal amounts of actual produce. For example, a product with just 2% real fruit juice can bear this claim. Be aware of this low standard when evaluating such claims.
Lightly Sweetened
Terms like “lightly sweetened” are subjective and do not provide clear information about the actual sugar content of a product. Similar to phrases like “bold flavor” or “new and improved,” this claim is more about marketing than nutritional value.
Fat-Free
While it may seem straightforward, products labeled as “fat-free” can still contain up to 0.5% fat per serving. Check the nutrition facts carefully for accurate information about fat content in these products.
Keto
Some products use the term “keto” to market themselves as healthy choices. While “keto” typically indicates no added sugars or carbs, products labeled as such may not offer additional health benefits. Be cautious when relying solely on the “keto” label for product evaluations.
Made With Real Sea Salt
The use of real sea salt in a product may not offer significant advantages over products containing table salt. Both sea salt and table salt have similar sodium content, so don’t be swayed by claims of using real sea salt when making purchasing decisions.
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