Food & Nutrition, Groceries, Grocery Shopping, Healthy Eating

55 Sneaky Words on Food Labels You Need to Avoid

December 11, 2020

By Ghuman

Introduction

When it comes to food labels, it can be difficult to know what to look for. Many food labels contain sneaky words that can be misleading and can lead to unhealthy eating habits. In this article, we will discuss 55 sneaky words on food labels that you should avoid. We will explain why these words are misleading and how to identify them. We will also provide tips on how to make healthier food choices. By understanding these sneaky words, you can make more informed decisions when it comes to your food choices.

55 Sneaky Words on Food Labels You Need to Avoid

When you’re grocery shopping, it’s important to read the labels on food products to make sure you’re getting the healthiest options. Unfortunately, food manufacturers often use sneaky words to make their products sound healthier than they really are. Here are 55 words to watch out for when you’re shopping.

1. Natural

The word “natural” is often used to make a product sound healthier, but it doesn’t necessarily mean anything. The FDA doesn’t have a definition for the term, so it can be used to describe anything from processed foods to artificial ingredients.

2. Light

The word “light” can be used to describe anything from the color of a product to the amount of fat or calories it contains. It’s important to read the label to make sure you know what the product is actually light in.

3. Low-Fat

The term “low-fat” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many low-fat products are still high in sugar and other unhealthy ingredients.

4. Sugar-Free

The term “sugar-free” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many sugar-free products are still high in fat and calories.

5. No Added Sugar

The term “no added sugar” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added sugar” still contain natural sugars from fruits and other ingredients.

6. Fat-Free

The term “fat-free” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many fat-free products are still high in sugar and other unhealthy ingredients.

7. Lightly Sweetened

The term “lightly sweetened” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many lightly sweetened products are still high in sugar and other unhealthy ingredients.

8. Multigrain

The term “multigrain” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many multigrain products are still high in sugar and other unhealthy ingredients.

9. Enriched

The term “enriched” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many enriched products are still high in sugar and other unhealthy ingredients.

10. Whole Grain

The term “whole grain” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many whole grain products are still high in sugar and other unhealthy ingredients.

11. No Artificial Colors or Flavors

The term “no artificial colors or flavors” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no artificial colors or flavors” still contain natural colors and flavors that can be unhealthy.

12. No Preservatives

The term “no preservatives” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no preservatives” still contain natural preservatives that can be unhealthy.

13. No High Fructose Corn Syrup

The term “no high fructose corn syrup” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no high fructose corn syrup” still contain other forms of sugar that can be unhealthy.

14. No Trans Fats

The term “no trans fats” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no trans fats” still contain other unhealthy fats.

15. No Cholesterol

The term “no cholesterol” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no cholesterol” still contain other unhealthy ingredients.

16. Organic

The term “organic” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many organic products are still high in sugar and other unhealthy ingredients.

17. Non-GMO

The term “non-GMO” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many non-GMO products are still high in sugar and other unhealthy ingredients.

18. Gluten-Free

The term “gluten-free” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many gluten-free products are still high in sugar and other unhealthy ingredients.

19. No Added Salt

The term “no added salt” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added salt” still contain natural salts that can be unhealthy.

20. No MSG

The term “no MSG” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no MSG” still contain other unhealthy ingredients.

21. Low Sodium

The term “low sodium” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many low sodium products are still high in sugar and other unhealthy ingredients.

22. No Added Hormones

The term “no added hormones” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added hormones” still contain natural hormones that can be unhealthy.

23. No Artificial Sweeteners

The term “no artificial sweeteners” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no artificial sweeteners” still contain natural sweeteners that can be unhealthy.

24. No Added Colors

The term “no added colors” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added colors” still contain natural colors that can be unhealthy.

25. No Added Flavors

The term “no added flavors” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added flavors” still contain natural flavors that can be unhealthy.

26. No Added Preservatives

The term “no added preservatives” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added preservatives” still contain natural preservatives that can be unhealthy.

27. No Added Fillers

The term “no added fillers” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added fillers” still contain natural fillers that can be unhealthy.

28. No Added MSG

The term “no added MSG” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added MSG” still contain other unhealthy ingredients.

29. No Added Sugar Alcohols

The term “no added sugar alcohols” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added sugar alcohols” still contain other forms of sugar that can be unhealthy.

30. No Added Trans Fats

The term “no added trans fats” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added trans fats” still contain other unhealthy fats.

31. No Added Cholesterol

The term “no added cholesterol” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added cholesterol” still contain other unhealthy ingredients.

32. No Added Hydrogenated Oils

The term “no added hydrogenated oils” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added hydrogenated oils” still contain other unhealthy fats.

33. No Added Saturated Fats

The term “no added saturated fats” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added saturated fats” still contain other unhealthy fats.

34. No Added Monosodium Glutamate

The term “no added monosodium glutamate” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added monosodium glutamate” still contain other unhealthy ingredients.

35. No Added Phosphates

The term “no added phosphates” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added phosphates” still contain other unhealthy ingredients.

36. No Added Nitrates

The term “no added nitrates” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added nitrates” still contain other unhealthy ingredients.

37. No Added Sulfites

The term “no added sulfites” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added sulfites” still contain other unhealthy ingredients.

38. No Added Artificial Sweeteners

The term “no added artificial sweeteners” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added artificial sweeteners” still contain natural sweeteners that can be unhealthy.

39. No Added Artificial Colors

The term “no added artificial colors” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added artificial colors” still contain natural colors that can be unhealthy.

40. No Added Artificial Flavors

The term “no added artificial flavors” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added artificial flavors” still contain natural flavors that can be unhealthy.

41. No Added Artificial Preservatives

The term “no added artificial preservatives” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added artificial preservatives” still contain natural preservatives that can be unhealthy.

42. No Added Artificial Fillers

The term “no added artificial fillers” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added artificial fillers” still contain natural fillers that can be unhealthy.

43. No Added Artificial MSG

The term “no added artificial MSG” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added artificial MSG” still contain other unhealthy ingredients.

44. No Added Artificial Sugar Alcohols

The term “no added artificial sugar alcohols” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added artificial sugar alcohols” still contain other forms of sugar that can be unhealthy.

45. No Added Artificial Trans Fats

The term “no added artificial trans fats” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added artificial trans fats” still contain other unhealthy fats.

46. No Added Artificial Cholesterol

The term “no added artificial cholesterol” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added artificial cholesterol” still contain other unhealthy ingredients.

47. No Added Artificial Hydrogenated Oils

The term “no added artificial hydrogenated oils” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added artificial hydrogenated oils” still contain other unhealthy fats.

48. No Added Artificial Saturated Fats

The term “no added artificial saturated fats” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added artificial saturated fats” still contain other unhealthy fats.

49. No Added Artificial Monosodium Glutamate

The term “no added artificial monosodium glutamate” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added artificial monosodium glutamate” still contain other unhealthy ingredients.

50. No Added Artificial Phosphates

The term “no added artificial phosphates” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added artificial phosphates” still contain other unhealthy ingredients.

51. No Added Artificial Nitrates

The term “no added artificial nitrates” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added artificial nitrates” still contain other unhealthy ingredients.

52. No Added Artificial Sulfites

The term “no added artificial sulfites” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added artificial sulfites” still contain other unhealthy ingredients.

53. No Added Artificial Flavors or Colors

The term “no added artificial flavors or colors” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added artificial flavors or colors” still contain natural flavors and colors that can be unhealthy.

54. No Added Artificial Preservatives or Fillers

The term “no added artificial preservatives or fillers” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added artificial preservatives or fillers” still contain natural preservatives and fillers that can be unhealthy.

55. No Added Artificial MSG or Sugar Alcohols

The term “no added artificial MSG or sugar alcohols” can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is healthy. Many products labeled “no added artificial MSG or sugar alcohols” still contain other unhealthy ingredients.

When you’re grocery shopping, it’s important to read the labels on food products to make sure you’re getting the healthiest options. Knowing which words to watch out for can help you make better decisions and avoid unhealthy products. Keep this list of 55 sneaky words on food labels in mind the next time you’re at the store.

Your meals label might not straight say sugar on it, however be weary! Sugar can are available in all sizes and styles—notably totally different names—that secretly add the candy stuff, and the surplus energy, to your favourite beloved meals. For this reason it is vital to notice the meals labels to keep away from for those who see any of those sneaky phrases on them.

“Sure, sugar hides in plain view,” says Dr. Whitney Bowe. “Aside from the plain locations, for those who look on a label you may discover it in unlikely locations, resembling hamburger buns, French fries, potato chips, and processed meats. It could be referred to as one thing aside from ‘sugar.’ Cane sugar, sucrose, fructose, agave nectar, excessive fructose corn syrup—however sugar is sugar, regardless of the way you spell it.”

The FDA requires meals producers to have an elements record on every of their merchandise. The FDA additionally states that the elements record on a meals label is listed in “descending order of predominance,” that means for those who see any of those sneaky phrases listed within the first few elements in your meals label, it is best to in all probability keep away from it.

If you add them up, there are greater than 55 names for sugar used on meals labels to keep away from. We break up up the most typical sugars meals producers use in alphabetical order so they’re straightforward to seek out! Right here they’re, and for extra wholesome suggestions, you’ll want to take a look at our record of The 7 Healthiest Meals to Eat Proper Now.