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Misleading the consumer

I'm learning a lot in school right now. I love my technical writing course because I am learning how to write better and how to understand how other people write (and speak).
Here are some misleading ads that I'd like to bring to your attention:

1) Next time you watch a commercial for a medication, listen carefully when they start listing the side effects. In almost every commercial for a medication (depression, sleeping pills, libido drugs, weight loss, birth control, rheumatoid arthritis, cholesterol meds..the list goes on), the person in the commercial is smiling, performing daily tasks or is overly content as you hear the side effects. Sure, they list cancer as a side effect (in the commercial I just watched for a med for rheumatoid arthritis) but you don't even hear that because you see how happy the person is putting on her socks in the morning. Just something to think about next time you see an add for a drug that you are interested in taking due to an annoying problem that you are dealing with short-term (which can often be helped with changes in your daily habits) but it is easy to overlook the side effects because you are convinced that this drug is worth it due to the ad. Let me know when you see a commercial for a drug and they show happy people as they list the side effects.

2) Wendy's Toffee Coffee Frosty.
How about a rich creamy Frosty with real-brewed coffee and chocolate-covered toffee candy. Doesn't this look yummy! Although I enjoy sweet treats on occasion after a hard workout, I am not encouraging anyone to use this desert/drink, whatever it is, as your post-workout treat. Here's the nutrition breakdown for you:

Calories: 540
Fat: 20g
Saturated fat: 15g
Sodium: 270mg
Cholesterol: 45mg
Carbs: 83g
Fiber 1g
Sugars: 69g
Protein: 9g

INGREDIENTS:
Coffee Toffee Pieces: Chocolate Coating (sugar, palm kernel oil, alkalized cocoa, soy lecithin [emulsifier], vanilla), Sugar, Butter (cream, salt), Corn Syrup, Palm Kernel Oil, Instant Coffee, Soy Lecithin (emulsifier), Salt, Caramel Color, Natural and Artificial Flavor (contains sulfites).
CONTAINS: MILK, SOY. Manufactured in a facility that processes or uses peanuts & tree nuts.

OUCH!! Not sure what the size is but I am assuming (and hoping) there is only one size and this is the biggest one. I am going to work on a healthy version of this smoothie after my workouts this weekend so hopefully I can give everyone an alternative to still cure your toffee coffee frosty cravings.

3) Fuji Apple Chicken Salad.
Do you ever feel like it is much easier to just pick a salad over a sandwich when you are trying to find the healthiest item at a fast food place or restaurant.
I'm always up for a nice hearty salad with nuts, fruit and a good vinaigrette (without meat of course), but you have to be careful with salads. Much of the calories in salads are in the dressing but you'd be suprise that the Panera Fuji Apple chicken salad (sounds healthy, right?) has more fat and sodim than the frosty tofee coffee at Wendy's an almost as many calories!
Here's the breakdown of the salad:
Calories: 520
Fat: 30g
Saturated fat: 6g
Sodium: 900mg
Carbs: 34g
Fiber: 5g
Sugars:22g
Protein:32g

Not sure where they are hiding the calories in this salad (my guess is still the dressing) but in any case, order a low-cal/fat free dressing on the side and skip the bread. Yes, it hurts for me to say that because I LOVE bread but save yourself those calories if you are ordering this salad. You are better off ordering a side salad and sandwich so you can still get your bread fix.

4) Smooth and Creamy Yogurt.
Yogurt is SO good for you with so many healthy bacteria in each bite. Great for your immune system, digestive system and for the urinary tract. However, an 8 ounce yogurt can pack a lot of calories and sugar. You don't need to go for yogurts which claim to have special probiotics and certain ballicus..they all have some, if not all of that. Opt for 60 or 90 calorie yogurts to save yourself a lot of calories and sugar. Yogurt is great after a short workout, for a snack, for desert or before a meal. Another option is greek yogurt to up the protein value.
Here's the breakdown of Breyers fruit on the bottom 6ounces:
Claories: 170g
Fat: 1.5g
Sat fat: 1g
Sodium: 90mg
Carb: 34g
Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 29g
Protein: 6g


Hopefully you are a smart consumer and you read food labels, you aren't mislead by "healthy" foods in commercials and you recognize when and if you need supplments/meds. Have a great weekend!