Lindsay Moyer

Finding a healthy hot cereal starts out simple: Look for whole grains. Most hot cereals are. (Exceptions: grits, Cream of Rice, and Cream of Wheat typically are refined.)

It never fails. You turn on the TV, start a new podcast, open a web browser, or walk through the supermarket, and you’re bombarded with ads pushing quick fixes to help keep you going in a demanding world: an immune boost here, a hangover cure there, a supplement for your hair or skin, or a little something to help you relax at night. What’s the evidence that these drink mixes, gummies, probiotics, and powders deliver on their promises? We took a look.

According to the menu board, the Milk Chocolate Chip has 180 calories…but see that asterisk? The very fine print buried in the lower left corner: “*Calorie counts are per serving, 4 servings per cookie.” Who are you trying to fool, Crumbl?

The “pumpkin” drink with more sugar than pumpkin is back on the menu at Starbucks. You can do better. A grande (16 oz.) hot Pumpkin Spice Latte made with 2 percent milk has 390 calories—more than a Starbucks Chocolate Croissant (340).

Madison Avenue is alive and kicking, not just on TV but in ads, posts, and videos on social media, YouTube, you name it. Food companies make it so easy. They dress up refined carbs with a dash of vegetables. Or turn up the protein in candy. Or find a new ploy to sell water. What could go wrong?