In a world full of health claims and ambiguous labels, eating well isn’t easy. In fact, it can be downright confusing. Is this label accurate? Who created it? How do we know that it’s truly healthy?

The food industry has vague answers to these questions, some of which we’ll probably never have answered at all. Thankfully, there are ways to work around the system. Get to know the industry’s techniques, and you’ll be one step ahead. To start you off, here are five advertising truths to be aware of.

01. ‘Natural’ doesn’t mean healthy.

Food companies are pros at selecting words that give off a “health halo.” That is, they use specific terms to influence customers into thinking they are buying a healthy product. How many times have you chosen a snack because it says sugar-free or all-natural on the package? Unfortunately, when it comes to food, these words are quite unclear.

Read the article “Five Truths About Advertising that the Food Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know” on verilymag.com.