How to test whether a VPN is truly encrypting traffic?

Say I am using a well-reputed and paid VPN service, I already know I can easily enough check for leaks and proper source IP in a variety of ways.  But is there a way to tell whether the VPN is actually encrypting all internet traffic myself?  What would be the best way to do that.  Would I need to start learning Wireshark or something similar, or is there a some sort of program/application/site with this specific check capability?

Do other people do this?  Surely reputation and appearance means a lot but it's probably good practice to verify everything for yourself no?

Thanks!

How to encrypt traffic? What it means? Maybe You thinking encrypt files and data at all. 

How to encrypt traffic? What it means? Maybe You thinking encrypt files and data at all. 

No, VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, not the files on your machine.

Look for TLSv1.2 under the protocol heading

44    23.719708    64.71.134.72    10.10.1.18    TLSv1.2    191    Server Hello, Change Cipher Spec, Encrypted Handshake Message
45    23.719883    64.71.134.72    10.10.1.18    TLSv1.2    191    Server Hello, Change Cipher Spec, Encrypted Handshake Message
46    23.720107    64.71.134.72    10.10.1.18    TCP    54    443 ? 59253 [ACK] Seq=1 Ack=518 Win=15744 Len=0
47    23.720692    64.71.134.72    10.10.1.18    TLSv1.2    191    Server Hello, Change Cipher Spec, Encrypted Handshake Message
48    23.727254    64.71.134.72    10.10.1.18    TCP    54    443 ? 59254 [ACK] Seq=1 Ack=518 Win=15744 Len=0
49    23.727440    64.71.134.72    10.10.1.18    TLSv1.2    191    Server Hello, Change Cipher Spec, Encrypted Handshake Message

Look for TLSv1.2 under the protocol heading

 

44    23.719708    64.71.134.72    10.10.1.18    TLSv1.2    191    Server Hello, Change Cipher Spec, Encrypted Handshake Message
45    23.719883    64.71.134.72    10.10.1.18    TLSv1.2    191    Server Hello, Change Cipher Spec, Encrypted Handshake Message
46    23.720107    64.71.134.72    10.10.1.18    TCP    54    443 ? 59253 [ACK] Seq=1 Ack=518 Win=15744 Len=0
47    23.720692    64.71.134.72    10.10.1.18    TLSv1.2    191    Server Hello, Change Cipher Spec, Encrypted Handshake Message
48    23.727254    64.71.134.72    10.10.1.18    TCP    54    443 ? 59254 [ACK] Seq=1 Ack=518 Win=15744 Len=0
49    23.727440    64.71.134.72    10.10.1.18    TLSv1.2    191    Server Hello, Change Cipher Spec, Encrypted Handshake Message

 

hey, what does this info mean?

thanks in advanced