The people who process and market food products have mastered the art of the "sneaky sale." The food companies love phrases like "all natural" and, of course, "new and improved." The question is: just what to do those marketing words really mean?

Well, the folks at Thrillist recently published an article to explain exactly what all those marketing phrases really mean. After all, when you think about it, tar is "all natural" and you wouldn't eat tar.

The big buzz word is, of course, "healthy" and that can mean a lot of different things. Here are a few examples of advertising ploys and what they really mean when it comes to food.

A recent study found 90% of us are willing to pay more to eat healthy.  But most of the labels on food that make them SEEM healthier are really just marketing nonsense.

1. You've, no doubt, heard advertising for a food that claims that the product is a "good source" for something. For example, you might encounter a food that is claimed to be a "good source" for protein. Well,that label just means that the product has some protein in it. It doesn't mean that you can get anywhere near your daily minimum requirement of protein from the product.

2. How about food that are marketed as something that "may reduce your risk" of some malady? All I can say about that phrase is that, while it may...It also may not. They didn't say it would; they said it may. Sneaky, isn't it?

3. Let's take a look at "fat free." Now, in this case, "Fat free" probably does really mean just what it says. That's all well and good, but recent studies seem to indicate that a fat free diet may not be all it's cracked up to be. Not only that, but a lot of fat free foods have added sugar, and maybe even preservatives. Of course, they don't plaster that all over the box, now do they?

4. We've all been taught to think that if a loaf of bread is labeled as "whole grain" or "whole wheat" then it must be healthy. Well, not so fast. Just because that bread contains some grains that are "whole" grains, doesn't make it healthy. In fact, in many cases when a loaf of bread says "whole grain" it may still be mostly sugar with a little grain thrown in. Instead, look for bread labeled "100 percent whole grain". Subtle difference, but a big one.

If you'd like to read more about these misleading food claims, here is the link to the original article on Thrillist.

 

 

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