100 Days of Real Food

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
    • Welcome
    • Original 100 Day Pledge
    • 100 Day Budget Pledge
    • FAQs
  • My Cookbooks
  • Resources
    • Our Shop
    • Meal Ideas & Resources
    • Mini-Pledge Progam
    • School Lunch Packing Chart
    • Favorite Amazon Buys
  • Blog
    • What Is Real Food?
    • How to Start
      • Real Food Tips
      • Eating Out and Travel
      • Food Shopping
      • How to Cook
      • Kitchen and Home
    • School Lunches
    • Snacks
    • Kids
      • Picky Eaters
      • Fun Stuff
  • Meal Plans
    • Real Food Meal Plans
    • School Lunch Plans
    • Free Weekly Dinner Plans
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
    • Welcome
    • Original 100 Day Pledge
    • 100 Day Budget Pledge
    • FAQs
  • My Cookbooks
  • Resources
    • Our Shop
    • Meal Ideas & Resources
    • Mini-Pledge Progam
    • School Lunch Packing Chart
    • Favorite Amazon Buys
  • Blog
    • What Is Real Food?
    • How to Start
      • Real Food Tips
      • Eating Out and Travel
      • Food Shopping
      • How to Cook
      • Kitchen and Home
    • School Lunches
    • Snacks
    • Kids
      • Picky Eaters
      • Fun Stuff
  • Meal Plans
    • Real Food Meal Plans
    • School Lunch Plans
    • Free Weekly Dinner Plans
×
Home » How to Start » Food Shopping

Misleading Product Roundup IV: Don't Be Fooled

It’s time for another “Misleading Product Roundup” recapping the food items I’ve shared with you on Facebook. I can't stress enough how important it is to read the ingredients before buying any packaged food. It can feel tedious at first, but as you read through these examples below I think you'll agree it's a necessary evil! For more posts like this, be sure to check out Misleading Product Roundup I, II, and III.

Teriyaki Marinade

Teriyaki Marinade: Misleading Product Roundup IV on 100 Days of #RealFood

Want to Save this Recipe?

Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you'll get great new recipes from us every week!

Save Recipe

I used to love this stuff, but then I read the back to see what they really put in it. High fructose corn syrup is the 2nd ingredient on the list! Not to mention the other questionable additives I do not cook with at home (sodium benzoate anyone?).

Real Food Alternative: How about mixing a few things together at home to make your own teriyaki marinade instead?
Try ½ cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended), ½ cup water, 3 tablespoon honey, and 1 tablespoon peeled & minced fresh ginger. You could also add some optional canned pineapple juice if you really want to emulate the pictured bottle.

Lindt Chocolate

Lindt Chocolate: Misleading Product Roundup IV on 100 Days of #RealFood

The Lindt Chocolate ads drive me crazy. They say their chocolate is "pure" and "premium" and "expertly crafted with the finest ingredients." Yet, when you turn it over to look at the ingredients you'll find that almost all of their products are artificially flavored ...not even the real deal! This is clearly misleading, and a reminder not to trust what these companies tell us and to instead read the ingredients to find out what's really inside!

Real Food Alternative: I personally buy Green & Black's 85% dark chocolate bars for a treat. The ingredients are: Organic Chocolate, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Cocoa, Organic Raw Cane Sugar, Organic Vanilla Extract. I also like Alter Eco brand products.

Rold Gold Pretzels

Pretzels: Misleading Product Roundup IV on 100 Days of #RealFood

I know pretzels are often touted as a healthy snack, but let's not forget the national brands are mainly made from refined white flour (labeled as "wheat flour" without the word "whole") and a few other additives. The issue with white flour is it's just empty calories that have been stripped of all the important nutrients (and why it's required to be enriched).

Real Food Alternative: They're not easy to find, but there are a couple whole-wheat pretzel alternatives out there including one by Unique brand.

Life Cereal

Life Cereal: Misleading Product Roundup IV on 100 Days of #RealFood

Does anyone else think it's strange that this brownish looking Life Cereal has artificial yellow dye in it? This is the same dye that requires a warning label when used in Europe (that states “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children"). Between this and the fake strawberries (that are really just artificially flavored/colored dried apple pieces) in their oatmeal packets, I am really not trusting Quaker anymore.

Real Food Alternative: When it comes to boxed cereal look for one that is 100% whole grain with nothing else (or at least not much else) added. Some examples are Shredded Wheat type cereals and puffed whole-grain cereals (like brown rice).

Dasani Drops

Dasani Drops: Misleading Product Roundup IV on 100 Days of #RealFood

How can Dasani get away with calling this "Pink Lemonade" when it doesn't even contain any lemons? Not to mention it says "Naturally Flavored with Other Natural Flavors" on the front when it contains multiple artificial sweeteners AND artificial colors - what the heck is natural about that? This to me looks like a lawsuit waiting to happen. In the meantime *please* don't put this chemical concoction in your water!

Real Food Alternative: Either drink plain water (which can be an acquired taste for some) or use real lemons to add some flavor.

Milk Splash

Milk Splash: Misleading Product Roundup IV on 100 Days of #RealFood

I must admit I was taken aback when I saw this little guy in the grocery store and turned it over to look at the ingredients. The first ingredient (and what it contains the most of) is propylene glycol?? And on top of that it's full of artificial flavors and sweeteners. If this isn't a "food like substance" I don't know what is - PLEASE do not feed this stuff to your kids!

Real Food Alternative: It's super easy and takes only 2 ingredients to make a more wholesome chocolate milk from scratch: Just mix ½ teaspoon unsweetened dark cocoa powder with 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup and about a ½ cup cold milk. It takes a few minutes of stirring to get the chocolate sauce to come together.

V8 Splash

V8 Splash: Misleading Product Roundup IV on 100 Days of #RealFood

It makes me sad that some well-intended individuals will buy this V8 Splash in the hopes of adding veggies/fruit to their diet when it means they'll also be getting a nice dose of high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners (sucralose), and - that mysterious additive - natural flavoring. I don't trust brands who use ingredients like this.

Real Food Alternative: Unfortunately, even if it were a higher quality juice, it would still mainly be the naturally occurring sugars from the fruits and veggies in concentrated form without any of the other stuff (like fiber) that nature intended. So for that reason, juice is just an occasional thing for us personally. I say go for a glass of water or a smoothie (that retains the whole fruit/veggie) instead! 

Ken's Balsamic Dressing

Balsamic Dressing: Misleading Product Roundup IV on 100 Days of #RealFood

I found this one interesting. This dressing is called "Balsamic with Honey" yet it contains more high fructose corn syrup and (refined) sugar than it does honey. Just another reminder to ignore the claims on the front of the package and read the ingredients instead. Oh and please don't trust companies who do stuff like this!

Real Food Alternative: Many of you know by now, this is my most favorite kitchen tool for making homemade salad dressings a breeze.

WeightWatchers Smart Ones

WeightWatchers: Misleading Product Roundup IV on 100 Days of #RealFood

I have no idea what is "smart" about this. Factory farmed chicken covered in fake grill marks mixed with white flour pasta and a bunch of additives I would never cook with at home (including corn syrup solids, shortening powder & carrageenan)? No, thank you.

Real Food Alternative: I'd much rather make my own organic creamy sauce from scratch with 3 ingredients (including real cream) instead. And thankfully it's surprisingly easy to do!

SunMaid Yogurt Raisins

Yogurt Raisins: Misleading Product Roundup IV on 100 Days of #RealFood

Has anyone else noticed how these yogurt covered raisins (that used to be a snack fav of ours in the old days) contain partially hydrogenated oil - a.k.a. trans fat? That's the same artery clogging trans fat that the government recently admitted was no longer "generally recognized as safe" and therefore will be banned going forward. There's also some other questionable stuff on this ingredient list so I'd say skip this bag of coated snacks.

Real Food Alternative: How about some plain (and preferably organic) raisins instead?

Progresso Bread Crumbs

Bread Crumbs: Misleading Product Roundup IV on 100 Days of #RealFood

Italian bread crumbs should simply be good quality whole wheat bread plus some seasonings. Yet, Progresso makes theirs with dozens of unnecessary refined additives including high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oil (i.e. the same trans fat I mentioned above), several dough conditioners that I can't even pronounce, preservatives, and the wonderfully evasive "natural flavors" ingredient.

Real Food Alternative: Why put this mess in your body when it's so easy to make your own? I've got a super simple recipe in my cookbook, and all you have to do is add Italian seasoning when you're done!

Mt. Olive Relish

Dill Relish: Misleading Product Roundup IV on 100 Days of #RealFood

Isn't it amazing how a product as simple as relish can be tainted with artificial food dye (the same dye that requires a warning label when used in European countries)?

Real Food Alternative: For a relish without unwanted ingredients look for a brand called Bubbies.

 

So what did you think of this list? Learn anything new?

More Food Shopping

  • Chicken breast recipes.
    Chicken Breast Recipes
  • Lunch and Snack Ideas for Camp on 100 Days of #RealFood
    Healthy Snack Ideas
  • Dijon mustard substitute.
    Dijon Mustard Substitute
  • Green vegetables.
    Green Vegetables
17.8K shares

About Lisa Leake

Lisa is a wife, mother, foodie, blogger, and #1 New York Times Best-selling author who is on a mission to cut out processed food.

Comments

  1. Aubrey Heki says

    September 08, 2016 at 4:35 pm

    This blog taught me to always alway read food labels. Once in awhile I make a slight concession on something...but at least it's an informed decsion now and not one based on blindly following advertising.

    Reply
  2. Kristin says

    September 08, 2016 at 11:30 am

    Ohhhh the yogurt raisins make me sad! My daughter LOVES those. That and the breadcrumbs - ew. I was just about to say I knew about the rest but I did NOT know about the yellow dye in Life. My kids (and my husband!) will be sad when "daddy squares" no longer make an appearance in our house. Boo. I thought I was doing a pretty decent job with our food choices, but I apparently have a ways to go!

    Reply
  3. Nancy says

    May 14, 2016 at 11:40 am

    I have been buying V-8 Fusion. I could not find any mention of corn syrup or artificial sweeteners in it. Can someone please share with me - what I am missing in this product. I thought the Fusion brand of V-8 was the healthier choice in V-8 product line. Thanks! :)

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      May 18, 2016 at 4:56 pm

      Hi there. This post is is 16 months old. Fortunately food companies are starting to make important changes. Here is the current labeling info for v8 fusion: https://www.campbells.com/v8/faqs/.

      Reply
  4. Marjorie says

    May 12, 2016 at 5:02 pm

    Whenever I see "natural ingredients" I almost want to run. I did a project in college....natural means it comes from nature. So the example I use most frequently is natural raspberry flavoring (not always) is derived from a gland in the anus of beavers. It's natural because it came from the beaver....however there is nothing NATURAL about flavoring you food with the excrement of another. Food for thought.

    Reply
  5. Callie V says

    August 19, 2015 at 3:14 pm

    My husband and I had a hard time finding chocolate without soy lecticin. Trader joes organic bars are free of soy as well as Enjoy Life Chocolate chips. There are some other brands that don't have soy that I get from regular stores like Sprouts, but we don't buy them consistently since they're more expensive.

    Reply
  6. Bette robbins says

    August 18, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    I know this doesn't pertain to food, but I just bought a tube of Tom's toothpaste yesterday that clearly stated on the front that there were NO artificial sweeteners in it. I should have read the ingredient list before purchasing, but was in a hurry. After arriving home I looked on the back and under "other ingredients" was sorbitol and xylitol. How can companies get away with this? Clearly this is false advertising. When I returned the toothpaste to the store the lady said this was really a shame, but there wasn't anything they could do about it

    Reply
    • Mommasaysso says

      August 18, 2015 at 5:37 pm

      Sorbitol and Xylitol are sugar alcohols metabolized from corn and other fruits and vegetables. They are not artificial sweeteners.

      Reply
  7. Laura says

    August 18, 2015 at 2:18 pm

    I had to google what propylene glycol was: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=1120&tid=240

    Reply
    • Michelle L Curtis says

      December 20, 2020 at 10:44 pm

      Usually I have a “three strikes, you’re out rule” for the foods I eat. I read my labels diligently! But propylene glycol is the one ingredient that gets an automatic out. I have had anaphylactic reactions to foods with this in it. I carry an epipen specifically for it. Before e-cigarettes were approved, I only had to worry about it in my bathroom products, and it was only a rash. But, now it’s everywhere. :(

      Reply
      • 100 Days Admin says

        December 22, 2020 at 10:38 am

        This is terrible. Sorry to hear it effects you that bad. And they put this in kid food!! - Nicole

  8. Lisa M says

    May 30, 2015 at 8:57 pm

    WHAT ABOUT BABY FORMULA?? !!

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      June 15, 2015 at 11:30 am

      Hi. This might help: http://foodbabe.com/2013/05/28/how-to-find-the-safest-organic-infant-formula/.

      Reply
  9. Brandy fenenga says

    April 24, 2015 at 1:43 pm

    Our store just started to carry the Bubie's brand. I don't think they are a fair comparison since those are naturally fermented instead of the vinegar brine in other pickels. Different process, different chemical reactions, different taste. They were okay, not enough to justify the 3x price difference. Sorry, I live in rural America where the nearest Trader Joe's is 4 hours away. I usually make my own anyway.Vinegar is vinegar no matter where it comes from. Acetic acid is acetic acid.

    What's the problem with carrageen? It's a type of seaweed.

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      April 27, 2015 at 4:53 pm

      Hi Brandy. Here is an article on carrageenan: http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/carrageenan-natural-ingredient-you-should-ban-your-diet.

      Reply
  10. Jessica says

    April 24, 2015 at 9:47 am

    All of the leading pickle brands use dye. I currently buy Boars Head, Trader Joe's or my fav, McClure's.

    Reply
  11. Amber says

    April 23, 2015 at 11:50 pm

    The food dye in absolutely unnecessary items like pickles and Life boggle me. I mean I get that they want green frosting on St. Patrick's day cupcakes or something, but pickles are green anyway, they don't need to be brighter. And I do not understand why Quaker puts food dye in Life. It's a natural brown color! It's not like Froot Loops where they're trying to make them look like colorful fruit bunches. There are a ton of chocolate brands that sell 70%+ cocoa chocolate with real (though not organic) ingredients no need for the Lindt.

    Nothing else on the list would be on my buy list anyway as it's obviously over processed. I wish companies would get it together and start selling food with less fabrication.

    Reply
  12. Roma says

    April 23, 2015 at 11:22 pm

    Bubbies sauerkraut is also good. So good I haven't made my own in a while! As for the previous comments on product comparison, the message is simply.... Read labels and make your own decisions. I personally would never buy milk chocolate, but I know some people love it. 75 and above organic dark chocolate is the only label I would bother to read. To each, his own, but be alert and informed.

    Reply
  13. terri henderson says

    February 02, 2015 at 6:40 pm

    what is even worse, everything has soy in it now.

    Reply
  14. Nikki says

    February 02, 2015 at 1:23 pm

    Do you have a list of boxed cereals that fit the less than five requirement?
    Cereal is a hit with my kids and one of the most challenging areas for us to switch to real foods. If you could point me to some ideas I will have three very thankful kids! Thank you for your help!

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      February 02, 2015 at 7:38 pm

      Hi Nikki. Lisa sometimes buys the organic 100% puffed or shredded wheat from Earth Fare. Otherwise, here go-to is her own homemade granola: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/04/04/recipe-granola-bars-cereal/. But honestly, it is very hard to find cereals that do not have added sugars.

      Reply
    • Kacy says

      August 18, 2015 at 1:16 pm

      Try muesli. I like Bob's Red Mill Old Country Style Muesli. It's most affordable in bulk from Amazon but I've found it at a good price at Costco before too. Unfortunately, I don't think I've found an affordable, "real," organic muesli yet. Anyway, it's delicious cold with milk, mixed with bananas and peanut butter or with organic unsweetened applesauce, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. It's also great mixed with yogurt and berries or heated like traditional oatmeal. My two-year old eats almost nothing but this for breakfast.

      Reply
  15. Skeptic says

    February 02, 2015 at 11:39 am

    Ooh! Scary chemical names! Maybe try researching what they are and what they do before you run screaming into the night.

    Reply
    • Roma says

      April 23, 2015 at 11:23 pm

      We have. That's why we're screaming.

      Reply
    • Kristen says

      April 24, 2015 at 9:00 pm

      How about YOU research them. Then you wouldn't have made such a ridiculous comment.

      Reply
  16. Sue M says

    February 02, 2015 at 9:02 am

    In response to Sophie's remark about the two chocolate bars: another item which is important to note is the ORDER IN WHICH INGREDIENTS ARE LISTED on the label. . . sugar is the PRIMARY ingredient in the Lindt bar and is the fourth ingredient in Green and Black's. I see a huge difference between these two bars, and while I know the sugary bar tastes best to most people, the better bar to grab if you are trying to retrain your sugar addicted tongue is the Green and Black's.

    Reply
    • Sophie says

      February 03, 2015 at 1:04 am

      Sue M- the comparison YOU make is a much more valid one than the one that is made in the article. There are certainly differences between the two bars which make Green & Black's probably a better choice. In my opinion, it is more credible and makes a better case to compare two 85% cocoa bars than two different styles of chocolate bars. Sugar is the 1st ingredient in Green & Black's sea salt bar as well (though it is a milk chocolate bar). 100 days of Real Food generally does an excellent job with this kind of thing, but there are a lot of similar sites that don't and I would hate to see them start using unfair comparisons, just to increase the power of their message. Especially as it is ultimately a practice that undermines their credibility.

      Reply
  17. Sophie says

    February 02, 2015 at 12:29 am

    I like these articles, but I'd also like to see you be a little more careful about comparing apples to apples. i.e. you compare Lindt sea salt to Green and Black's 85% cocoa chocolate bar. If you compare Lindt 85% cocoa bar to Green & Black's 85% cocoa bar, the ingredients are the same. Chocolate, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, sugar and vanilla. So Green & Blacks may provide some advantage for being organic, but the ingredients are not different. Green & Blacks makes a milk chocolate sea salt bar, not a dark chocolate one, and it does contain soy lecithin, though not artificial flavorings. I love your site, your recipes and the work you do to raise awareness, but it does undermine your cause a la Food-babe to make these kinds of disingenuous comparisons.

    Reply
    • magee says

      February 02, 2015 at 6:45 am

      I don't think its the Cocoa she referring to..they are claiming to be pure yet they have artificial flavoring. ..who knows what that is. Since its not even listed...

      Reply
  18. Marci says

    February 02, 2015 at 12:07 am

    i just read the back of the bread crumbs can the other day for the first time, too. What possible reason could they have for adding high fructose corn syrup!? I was shocked. So ridiculous!

    Reply
  19. Katie M. says

    January 23, 2015 at 10:28 am

    I whole heartedly agree that all of this processed food is sub par to what we can make in our own kitchen. Back to basics! I recently wrote a two part series on how to make two months worth of breakfasts for a family of five, in eight hours (over two days). Here is a direct link to day one: http://inaweofeden.blogspot.com/2015/01/breakfast-fest-2015-day-1.html

    Reply
  20. Janice says

    January 22, 2015 at 1:30 am

    Just remember for the teriyaki sauce, the soy sauce is made with soybeans. If the soybeans aren't organic then they are more than likely GMO. Most soybeans in this country are GMO which is a whole different issue. Just be aware.

    Reply
  21. Cris says

    January 21, 2015 at 7:02 am

    It's intended for people like me, who are just learning.

    Reply
  22. Brad says

    January 19, 2015 at 7:58 pm

    I'm not sure who this article is intended for.

    Anyone who has chosen to avoid artificial foods is going to avoid even looking at the foods listed here. And the people who don't care, well.. don't care.

    This feels like the writer was just trying to show off how good they are at spotting artificial flavours in the wild.

    I mean. The Lindt chocolates don't even say "pure" anywhere on the packaging. Yet the writer felt the need to scold them for being "deceptive".

    Reply
    • Erica says

      April 28, 2017 at 10:22 pm

      This article was written for someone like me. I found it to be very helpful, thank you very much

      Reply
  23. Roger Komula says

    January 18, 2015 at 1:15 pm

    I recently "retired" from North America's largest food company where I made an iconic brand in a blue box that has a name which is only half accurate at best. You do not want to know what half really isn't what the box says.

    Reply
  24. Alison says

    January 17, 2015 at 10:24 am

    Ew. These posts just make me sad for the people who haven't realized how easy it is to make homemade salad dressings, chocolate milk and snacks and feel that they have to resort to pre-packaged snacks and frozen dinners. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  25. Jennifer says

    January 16, 2015 at 1:35 pm

    I cannot find a pickle relish in my town without HFCS, food coloring or both. I have looked in every grocery store here! I now just dice good pickles for relish.. dill or bread and butter depending on whether I want sour or sweet.

    Reply
  26. Brandy says

    January 16, 2015 at 10:41 am

    Thanks Amy, we will be giving them a try!

    Reply
  27. ipiit says

    January 16, 2015 at 6:50 am

    We have a right to know what is in all of your food and with our ipiit app you can set preferences for example non-GMO and it will tell you when you scan the food labels if the food is good for you and if not provide you with alternatives! Our app is available to download for free on iPhone and Android
    http://www.ipiit.com

    Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Welcome!


Meet Lisa! Lisa is a best-selling cookbook author, wife, mother, and passionate home cook. Lisa began blogging in 2010 and has created a community of millions of people who share her love of healthy living, real food ingredients, and family recipes.

Learn More

Popular

  • Sausage stir fry.
    Sausage Stir Fry
  • Sausage broccoli pasta.
    Sausage Broccoli Pasta
  • Chicken sausage pasta.
    Chicken Sausage Pasta
  • Steak with veggies.
    Steak with Veggies

Seasonal

  • Sausage and potatoes.
    Sausage and Potatoes
  • Spaghetti squash with meat sauce.
    Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce
  • Spaghetti squash boats.
    Spaghetti Squash Boats
  • How to cook spaghetti squash.
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash

Footer

↑ back to top

Browse

  • Cookbooks
  • Meal Plans
  • Recipes
  • Favorite Products
  • Free Downloads

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Blog

  • About
  • Comment Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner With Us
  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 100 Days of Real Food