Sugar Has Many Names: 10 Things You Should Know About Your Food

Not everything is what it seems. Food labels and branding can be misleading.

“Natural” Doesn’t Always Mean Healthy

• Many products are marketed as “natural,” but that doesn’t necessarily make them good for you.
• There are no strict regulations for the use of the word, and it’s often used in advertising without scientific backing.
• In other words: natural doesn’t equal nutritious.

Sugar Hides Under Many Names

• Ingredients lists rarely just say “sugar.”
• You might see names like glucose syrup, fructose, maltodextrin, corn syrup, cane sugar, and more.
• This makes it hard to tell how much sugar is really in a product.

Expiration Dates Don’t Always Mean Unsafe

• “Best before” simply means the quality might decline – not that the food becomes dangerous.
• Many products are still perfectly safe after that date if they smell and taste fine.
• Use your senses and avoid food waste.

Superfoods Are Mostly Marketing

• Chia seeds, spirulina, and goji berries sound exotic and healthy – but they’re not necessarily better than local options like oats, beets, or cabbage.
• True health comes from your overall diet, not from individual “miracle ingredients.”

Plant-Based Doesn’t Always Mean Healthy

• French fries and vegan nuggets are technically plant-based – but they’re still ultra-processed.
• A plant-based diet can be healthy, but not all plant-based foods are automatically good for you.

Packaging Tricks You – Especially With “Light”

• Terms like “light,” “low-fat,” and “sugar-free” often make products seem healthier than they are.
• Many of these items have extra additives or more sugar to make up for lost flavor.

Fewer Ingredients Is Often a Good Sign

• A short ingredient list with familiar terms often indicates less processed food.
• The fewer and more understandable the ingredients, the easier it is to know what you’re eating.

Meat Requires Much More Water Than Veggies

• Producing beef uses thousands of liters of water compared to vegetables.
• For example, 1 kg of beef needs about 15,000 liters of water, while 1 kg of potatoes uses less than 300 liters.
• Your food choices have a big climate impact.

Leftovers Save the Planet and Your Wallet

• Saving and reusing leftovers reduces waste and saves money.
• Food waste is a major climate issue – but it’s easy to fight with a little planning and creativity.

Local Ingredients Often Taste Better

• Food grown near you is often fresher, more flavorful, and has a lower carbon footprint.
• It usually hasn’t traveled across the globe, which helps the planet and enhances your taste experience.