Families rolling their carts around the grocery store will soon be hit with up to six possible nutritional rating labels -- a confusing, processed food mess. And powerhouse nutrition experts share that this eclectic system is one bad joke for your nutritional health. Take a look at how Cheerios score across just three of the labels and you'll see what we mean:

NuVal. Cheerios score a 34 out of 100 with NuVal. Big Food is not behind this label. Rather, it was developed by a panel of nutrition and medical experts to rate foods from 1 to 100 using the Overall Nutritional Quality Index algorithm. Higher nutrients, higher score. Finally, a label that speaks the truth about processed foods -- an orange gets a 100, pretzels an 11. Check out the video, this definitely seems like one of the best labels around. It's currently in use at Meijer Price Chopper and Hy-Vee.

nutrition iQ. Features a color-coded labeling system to identify better choices, Cheerios earns two colors -- dark orange for whole grains and orange for fiber. Jewel-Osco will see this system in the fall -- sounds complicated. Soda, candy, cookies, ice cream, juice and baby food are not rated.

Smart Choices Program. Cheerios is awarded this bold, green check mark. No wonder, Big Food is partially behind this label, which allows 25 percent of calories from added sugars and 480 mg of sodium per serving. Nutrition expert Marion Nestle is critical of the limits, and expert David Katz told the Chicago Tribune that industry meddling is like the "fox guarding the henhouse." At least this label will replace a slew of individual label systems put forth by Kraft, Pepsico, Kellogg's, General Mills and Unilever. But be wary of this one -- how about a big, fat red check mark for Dumb Choices instead?

To mess with your head even more, there's Guiding Stars, Healthy Ideas and the American Heart Association's red check mark, too. As Marion Nestle points out, label health claims aren't helping the consumer, they're marketing junk food.

However, if label-mania will influence your purchases, you need to self-educate. Think about who developed the label and what the ratings are actually measuring. Be skeptical, don't think these labels are an automatic green light. Besides, you can sidestep label confusion by purchasing wholesome, real foods such as fresh veggies, fruits, whole grains, fish and lean cuts of meat.

Fit Family Summer Assignment -- Shop primarily for real foods for one week. If you need a treat, forget the processed junk and try baking a batch of cookies or muffins from a healthier recipe.