We have all seen the many blatant attempts of highly processed, garbage foods, trying to get into the health food market. Some of these companies are stretching the truth and others are telling flat out lies. Marketing hype in conjunction with a lack of overall regulation is being used to draw you in and exploit the growing interest in living healthy.
Now more than ever we need to be on guard when vetting brands that are marketed as "healthy".
Generally, these marketing gimmicks are targeted at consumers that are just beginning their journey to better health through food. This can be especially frustrating for individuals looking to make better choices, only to end up with something that is not benefiting them at all.
I wanted to take a look at a few "greenwashing" strategies and ways to ensure you are getting quality food that does not break the bank.
What is greenwashing? How to avoid it?
When it comes to food labels, greenwashing is used to promote an otherwise neutral or unhealthy food as healthy. Examples of this are found on many popular brands. Terms like "All Natural" or "Natural Ingredients" even the use of color and imagery, can imply that something is healthy when in fact it is filled with chemicals and highly processed ingredients.
So how do you avoid these tactics?
First: Our first line of thinking should always turn to fresh organic whole foods. This is the best way to ensure that you are getting exactly what you want in your body and nothing else. However, there are times when you need an on-the-go snack or something like a pre-made salad dressing.
Second: Flip it over! Bypass the cover art and get to the nitty gritty by looking at the ingredients. They are listed in order by quantity used, so you can get a better idea of what in in the product. Many times you will see healthy looking packaging or even a healthy sounding brand name that can mislead you in your journey. It imperative that you understand the ingredients list. Don't be afraid to pull out your phone in the grocery store and do some investigating. Look up each ingredient until you are confident in your purchase.
Third: Look for proof. There are many recognized certifications that can help you identify the quality of the ingredients. Things like Non-GMO Verified or USDA Organic. Now a reminder, just because these certifications are on the packaging does not mean it is healthy. There are plenty of undesirable foods that are Non-GMO and Organic. So, always consult the ingredients list and chose quality ingredients over marketing hype. On the flip side of that, just because the organic seal is not present does not mean an organic claim is inaccurate. The USDA Organic seal cost money to be approved and placed on packaging. Many companies will happily send you their independent organic certifications if requested.
Some terms that are often used to promote products warrant some further investigation. These terms don’t always mean that they are bad but they are worth digging deeper to find out if they are covering for something.
Terms to question:
- All Natural
- 100% Natural
- Natural Flavoring
- Certified
- Pure
- Naturally Enriched
- Nothing Artificial
- Good source of _______ (Fiber, protein, vitamins…)
- Full serving of vegetables
- No sugar added
- Reduced Sugar
- Gluten Free
- This is often used to promote products that would never have gluten in the first place like rice cereal or chicken. Many with gluten allergies or sensitivities are more prone to grab these items without reading the label. While avoiding gluten may be a necessity, you need to be aware of the replacement ingredients. Often times these ingredients are very unhealthy.
Again, these are not all bad things but they can be very misleading as you are looking to improve your food quality and intake.
So the next time you are cruising the grocery aisles. Do a double take to make sure you are getting high quality foods that benefit your health. The main thing is to think twice and do your research.
Until next time. Make good choices and stay healthy! 😀
