Reading Between The Lines Of 'Healthy' Food Marketing

'Natural' means less than you'd think

This term is loosely regulated and doesn't guarantee anything about sugar content, processing level, or overall nutritional quality — plenty of 'natural' products are still heavily processed and high in sugar.

'Multigrain' isn't the same as 'whole grain'

A product can be made from multiple types of refined grains and still be labeled multigrain — the term describes variety of grain source, not whether those grains retain their fiber-rich whole form.

'No added sugar' doesn't mean low sugar

Products can be naturally high in sugar (concentrated fruit juice, for instance) while technically having no sugar 'added' — the total sugar content matters more than whether it was added or naturally occurring.

The one reliable check: flip the package over

Front-of-pack marketing claims are designed to sell; the ingredient list and nutrition panel on the back provide the actual information needed to make an informed choice, regardless of what the front promises.