Marketing food is a difficult job. Trying to convince a mother who wants to put a quick dinner on the table to buy acai berries for cereal and agave syrup for coffee is doubly so. Buying healthy foods shouldn't be so complicated yet the below lexicon of health buzzwords is proof that it often can be. Are you as sick of these buzzwords as we are?
1. Superfoods-So-called 'superfoods', such as goji and acaci berries, have been getting a great deal of press, but don't believe the marketing hype, says nutritionist Fiona Hunter. "There's no legal definition of 'superfood', so it's a term that's open to abuse," she warns. "Eat goji berries if you like the taste, but don't expect them to change your life and don't think they'll turn a bad diet into a good one. Strictly speaking, all fruit and vegetables are 'superfoods', because they all provide important vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that help keep us healthy. Some, such as blueberries and broccoli, contain such large amounts of these health-promoting substances that it is a good idea to include as much of them as possible in your diet. This doesn't mean that you should stop eating more commonplace produce, such as apples and bananas. When it comes to fruits and vegetables, variety is the thing."
2. All-natural-Just because something is all-natural doesn't make it healthy. Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream is all natural but high in fat and calories. (Moderation is a good general rule). 7UP is also all-natural but has no nutritional value.
3. Organic-While organically grown food is a great option, this word is fast becoming overused. Next time you read about the new organic chocolate with almonds and marshmallows or cookies and cream ice cream, remember it's still dessert. "Organic doesn't necessarily imply that a food is nutritious or that it's heart-healthy," says Cynthia Sass, R.D., American Dietetic Association spokesperson. "It can actually be a high source of calories or sodium or any other number of nutrients that people should avoid."
4. Fresh-Proclaiming a food or foods are fresh seems pointless. How many products and places tout "Now Frozen!" or "Yesterdays Bread!" The food you cook is fresh, too, and you know what's in it.
5. Energy boosting-The great energy booster, caffeine, is being added to just about everything.. Caffeine-laden energy drinks are made up of mostly sugar and chemicals. For a natural energy boost, try taking a walk, heaving a healthy meal or getting more sleep.
6. Antioxidants-See superfoods. Fruits and vegetables have antioxidants. Eat them.
5. Energy boosting-The great energy booster, caffeine, is being added to just about everything.. Caffeine-laden energy drinks are made up of mostly sugar and chemicals. For a natural energy boost, try taking a walk, heaving a healthy meal or getting more sleep.
6. Antioxidants-See superfoods. Fruits and vegetables have antioxidants. Eat them.
7. Sun-kissed, or drenched-Unless it's hydroponically grown in an artificially-lit greenhouse, most everything is sun-kissed, including pure sugar.
8. Probiotic-This word is 100% the work of good marketing. People are clamoring for a source of bacteria while scourging it elsewhere from their lives; now that's a miracle in advertising. Yes, they're good for you, we get it but yogurt has been around for centuries. Who is to say that probiotics elsewhere have the same effect?
9. Whole-What is a whole food? Have we been eating too many half-foods? The whole label is sometimes important - particularly when it comes to grains. But the labeling has gotten out of hand. Fruits and vegetables are whole foods and they shouldn't get a special label to tell us.
8. Probiotic-This word is 100% the work of good marketing. People are clamoring for a source of bacteria while scourging it elsewhere from their lives; now that's a miracle in advertising. Yes, they're good for you, we get it but yogurt has been around for centuries. Who is to say that probiotics elsewhere have the same effect?
9. Whole-What is a whole food? Have we been eating too many half-foods? The whole label is sometimes important - particularly when it comes to grains. But the labeling has gotten out of hand. Fruits and vegetables are whole foods and they shouldn't get a special label to tell us.
10. Diet-Foods and drinks labeled diet, low-carb, or sugar-free are often filled with chemicals. Read the nutritional information. The labels are there to guide you.
11. 7-grain (or any number of grains)-These may not be whole and the product could include multiple sources of sugar and other flavors and preservatives. Look for high-fiber and 100% whole grain breads.
12. 100-calories-Do we really need companies to dole out 100-calorie miniature packs like they are our weight-loss counselors? Plus, 100 calories of Oreos will satisfy so few people. Have an apple or banana instead. Both have about the same calories and are much more satisfying.
13. Healthy-What's healthy is a judgment call if ever there was one. People are on different diets with different needs. One man's healthy food is another man's poison. Looking for what's healthy at the supermarket? Skip the promises on a label and shop the perimeter of the supermarket instead. That's where fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and fish are usually located.
11. 7-grain (or any number of grains)-These may not be whole and the product could include multiple sources of sugar and other flavors and preservatives. Look for high-fiber and 100% whole grain breads.
12. 100-calories-Do we really need companies to dole out 100-calorie miniature packs like they are our weight-loss counselors? Plus, 100 calories of Oreos will satisfy so few people. Have an apple or banana instead. Both have about the same calories and are much more satisfying.
13. Healthy-What's healthy is a judgment call if ever there was one. People are on different diets with different needs. One man's healthy food is another man's poison. Looking for what's healthy at the supermarket? Skip the promises on a label and shop the perimeter of the supermarket instead. That's where fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and fish are usually located.
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