Read the label - If it has one you may not want to eat it

✅ Healthier ≠ Healthy

A product can be healthier than another option without being good for you. For example:

• A cereal labeled “low sugar” might still be packed with artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and refined carbs.

• “Baked” chips are lower in fat than fried ones, but they’re still highly processed with little nutritional value.

• A protein bar may have more protein than a candy bar, but just as much sugar and more additives.

So yes, it might be better than the worst option—but it doesn’t make it healthy.

🎯 The Sneaky World of Food Marketing

Brands know we want to feel good about what we’re buying. That’s why they use certain buzzwords, colours, and packaging styles to trick us into thinking something is good for us—even when it’s not.

Here are a few common tricks:

1. Buzzwords Without Meaning

Words like “natural,” “wholesome,” and “clean” aren’t strictly regulated. A product can claim to be natural and still be loaded with sugar and additives.

2. Health Halos

If something says “gluten-free” or “vegan,” we often assume it’s healthy. But gluten-free cookies are still cookies. Vegan snacks can still be ultra-processed.

3. Serving Size Games

A small pack might say “100 calories per serving”... but the pack contains three servings. Sneaky, right?

4. Greenwashing

Many brands use earthy colours like green or brown and images of leaves or farms to give off a “healthy vibe,” even if the ingredients tell a different story.

🥗 So What Is Healthy?

Truly healthy foods are usually simple: whole fruits and veggies, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. If it’s grown, not manufactured, it’s likely better for your body.

Ask yourself:

• Can I recognize the ingredients?

• Would I eat this if the label didn’t say “healthy”?

• How close is this to its natural form?

💡 Final Thought

Being more aware of marketing tricks puts you in control. Don’t let labels decide what’s healthy—you decide, by reading the ingredients and trusting real nutrition, not the packaging.

Want to take the guesswork out of your nutrition? That’s what the 123Diet is all about—real support, real food, and real results. 💚

🔗 Learn more at 123Diet.com.au