It comes as no surprise that whether you’re trying to lose weight, gain weight, or just eat healthier foods that nutrition labels are important. Reading them to determine whether or not a product is actually healthy is paramount to your fitness endeavors. Some companies, however, are banking on the fact that a bright label predominantly displayed will pull customers in to buy their product.

As recently as a couple of decades or so ago, “fat free” products started appearing on the shelves in the hopes of finding buyers concerned with their weight. A few years ago, the health industry made consumers aware that the reduction in fat came with an increase in sugar. Not exactly the “healthy” alternative people were looking to purchase.

Today, there is a higher protein/lower carb craze that has taken the diet industry by storm. Companies are responding by placing “higher protein” versions of their products on the shelves. Perhaps the food industry thought it would go unnoticed, but with an increase in protein also came an increase in sugar.

Someone noticed, however. The Center for Science in the Public Interest noticed and took action. Last week, they filed a lawsuit against General Mills Cereals. They maintain that the company is guilty of false advertising in it’s latest offering: Cheerios Protein.

The cereal’s box practically shouts with a prominently displayed label that it contains 11 grams of protein per serving with milk. To someone not trained to read labels, that sounds great. On closer examination, however, those claims fall flat.

When compared to Cheerios Protein to plain Cheerios, the protein version contained 17 times as much sugar. The increase in protein is due more to the increased serving size. One serving of plain Cheerios is 1 cup, while a serving of Cheerios Protein is 1 ¼ cup. The protein version of the breakfast cereal also costs about $0.70 cents more per box than the traditional cereal.

Those truly interested in nutrition will take the time to read a label to see if those bold claims on the front of the box hold water.

If you’re looking to ramp up your exercise program or tweak your diet, contact Frank Tortorici. Frank is a certified personal trainer who can help you to meet your diet and exercise goals.