Word Usage – Does ‘Wide Range of Food’ Mean Anything? Alternatives?

Sugar coated isn't a negative word. It doesn't explicity imply a negative meaning.

Its a metaphor.

To sugar-coat a bad story means, it is still a bad story but it is told to sound nicer.

My grandmother was murdered.

vs

My grandmother is with God now.

This has been sugar-coated.

Could it be used to manipulate you? Sure, it happens all the time. ADVERTISING.

They show you the best features to make it better so that you buy it.

How should you feel about it?

Depends on the case and how well you can handle it.

How would you feel if your girlfriend says, "I'm going out with my friend." but later you find out it is "GUY friend"

What if your brother had his wallet stolen and he said, "It's only a couple of dollars."

You can use "preserve" in this sense, but it's usually not used alone - you pair it with phrases like pristine shape or mint condition. Especially in casual conversation, you'd be more likely to just say "keep" instead of "preserve." Examples:

Keep my car in mint condition.

Preserve my car in pristine shape.

You can also say "pristine condition," but note that mint condition is a set phrase and you can't say something like "mint shape."