How Health Food Companies Trick You Into Eating Garbage

Nothing is what it seems.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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These days, it’s hard to find a meal that isn’t marketed as “health food." Burgers have “organic, free-range” beef, cereal is “whole grain,” and frozen yogurt is “fat free.” But are these foods actually good for you? What does the language slapped on the packing really mean? Unfortunately, the more know about these supposedly healthy products, the more messed-up the answers become. (Even some health-nuts out there don't really know the half of it.) This is how health food companies trick you into eating garbage. As it turns out, they’re really, really good at it.

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"Fat Free" doesn't mean low calorie.

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GMOs are a murky business.

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Vitamins may do more harm than good.

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Milk alternatives are often worse than the real thing.

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Fish isn't necessarily the better option.

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Even organic, free-range meat is still meat.

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Protein is not necessarily good for you in high doses.

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Cage free doesn't mean cruelty free.

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Health bars are filled with calories.

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Juice cleanses can shock your body.

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"Diet" sodas can make you fat.

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Muffins are just cupcakes, pretty much.

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Calories aren't everything.

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Whole grain foods often come packed with a whole lotta sugar.

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