Our grocery stores, supermarkets, and restaurants have been flooded with “healthy” labels that lead us to believe some not-so-healthy choices are actually good for us. This is known as the health halo. The health halo refers to the halo effect that occurs when our perception of one trait influences our assessment of the entire product as a whole. For example, we might assume that something labeled “organic” or “fat free” is healthy and that we can have as much of it as we like. For this reason, the health halo has also been known to cause overeating and lack of portion control.

Because many restaurants and grocery stores exploit the health halo, we’ve put together some tools to help you spot this deceiving tactic. It’s not always the easiest to spot, but we hope by providing you with some examples of the health halo that you will be better equipped to know how to handle and avoid it all together.

Health Halo Violator: Snapple
Watch out for the sugar content in these products. Just because they boast “natural” flavors and added vitamins, does not mean they haven’t jam packed their drinks with tons of sugar. Even their antioxidant water varieties have as much sugar as 2 Good Humor Chocolate Éclair Bars. This goes for most “healthy” fruit drink varieties such as SoBe and Gatorade. For some healthy fruit drink options click here.

Health Halo Violator: Smoothie King
With massive portion sizes, extra syrup, and carb mix the fruit smoothie king pin, Smoothie King, can turn a sensible treat into a 1,000 calorie sugar trap. The 40oz Cranberry Supreme packs more carbs than 20 Double Stuffed Oreos! Opt for a smaller 20oz version and ask for a little honey instead of the sugar packed flavored syrup and carb mix.

Health Halo Violator: Quiznos
You would think that some healthy veggies on a wheat bun would be a good option, and most of the time you would be right, except if you were dining at Quiznos. They layer their veggies in between a 400-calorie bun, a huge chunk of cheese, and a vat of oil. The large veggie on wheat has over 1,000 calories, 54 grams of fat, and 17 grams of saturated fat. Even their smaller varieties still average over 500 calories. The only time a large should be ordered is if it’s being shared or if you’re saving the other half for dinner. Other than that, stick to the small and try to choose one of their “under 500 calories” options.

Health Halo Violator: Ruby Tuesday
Before you order an appetizer that you think is a little on the light side, you should know that the buffalo shrimp quesadilla is packed with almost 1,500 calories and 90 grams of fat. Even the roasted chicken and other quesadilla varieties have over 1,000 calories and at least 70 grams of fat. Choose a trip to the salad bar instead but remember to opt for a light dressing and make sure to choose lots of colorful veggie varieties. Also steer clear of the pasta and broccoli salad located on the end of the salad bar. Nothing is healthy about pasta or veggies drenched in a creamy mayonnaise based dressing.

Health Halo Violator: T.G.I. Fridays
You would think choosing a grilled chicken sandwich would be a good option at a restaurant like this, but think again. When you smother it in sugary sauces, sour cream, and pair it with a fried side, you get the 1,250 calorie packed Caribbean Chicken Sandwich with sweet potato fries that has 47 grams of fat, 18 of which are saturated. Instead, choose a chicken option that doesn’t come on a bun and pair it with a delicious steamed veggie. Remember to ask them to hold the butter on the veggies. Broccoli can go from good to bad if it is soaked in a tub of butter.

Health Halo Violator: Fat-free
We need to stop thinking that fat makes us fat. It is only one part of the equation. You actually need some fat in your diet to process nutrients like vitamins A, D, and E. Be weary of “fat-free” foods because they are loaded with sugar which can cause them to have more calories than their full-fat counterparts. It’s been shown that fat-free labels cause people to overindulge on unhealthy snacks and treats. Instead stick to a reasonable amount of healthy fat and don’t go crazy with something just because it is labeled “low-fat” or “fat-free.”

Health Halo Violator: Grass-fed
The USDA allows anyone to use this term provided the meat producer submits documents saying that this is true. No farm inspections are required in order to meet these criteria. Also, before 2006 anyone could use this term regardless of documentation and under the new rule, the companies already using the term were grandfathered in. If you see this term on pork or chicken, then you know for sure you are being fed a bunch of bull because those animals cannot survive on grass-fed only diets.

In Conclusion
Marketers these days are using our health conscious mindset to make us view products as better than they actually are. For this reason, we should stay up on current trends in the food industry and on what the terms marketers are putting on products actually mean. Most of all, we need to be real with ourselves and our goals. Weight loss is not simple, but if we keep our portions under control and make sure to get enough nutrients such as protein, then our hard work will pay off. To get a meal plan that is designed for both men and women that is based on portion control, check out the WonderSlim Diet Plan. Not only will you find delicious high protein supplements, but you will also learn about portion control and what to buy at the grocery store. That way you will keep the weight off instead of constantly yo-yo dieting. Good luck!