Processed foods + lots of sugar = smart choices

How did we get to a place where a green check on the package of a “food item” qualifies the contents as “healthy?” I ask this somewhat rhetorically and with a strong hint of sarcastic disgust. For Christ’s sake, if the food you wish to purchase is packaged, it’s probably got some nutritional flaws. Though who am I to say what nutrition is? I’m a bit of a snob on the subject matter. To be honest, I agree with Michael Pollan when he says, “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” (Read this.) I would take this a step further and say, “Eat food. Not too much. Nothing purchased in a grocery store.” Some of us are lucky, some of us have farmers markets; some of us are even luckier and have yards where we can plant and grow food; and some of us are the luckiest with a long growing season (the last group probably lives in California.) Anyone who falls in any of these categories has the possibility to avoid the grocery store. It’s not that all grocery stores are bad, evil places. The reality may be that we all rely on these modern amenities every once in a while. The sad aspect of this reality is the sad reality of grocery stores. (Read this to gain enlightenment on everything modern.) Before I begin a ridiculous tirade against the world and its conveniences, let me attempt to redirect myself.

The green check mark (see above) has recently been approved by the small handful of the largest industrial food conglomerates in the world to qualify certain foods as “healthy,” as “nutritious,” as “part of a healthy diet.” And now, due to this new food-labeling campaign we can conclude that Froot Loops is part of a balanced diet. Never mind that food coloring replaces the “fruity flavor” of the loops; the main focus is on the amount of sugar in the cereal. Now even sugar cereals are nutritious.

What really bothers me about all this is the corporate disdain for consumer intelligence. God forbid the consumer think for him or herself! Because we all know that if this were the case, we may not be needing the green check mark. Though come to think of it, maybe the campaign should also provide the slogan, “Just Eat It.” That would be pleasantly catchy. Anyways, as you can see, these blips in the food radar really rattle my brain. I’d rather not use this blog as an opportunity to rant but it will happen, guaranteed.

Just do us all a favor and avoid the package with the green check mark on it. It does not mean healthy. It means that you are dumb and falling into the trap big and bad food industry giants.

Remember, ‘ eat food, not too much, nothing purchased in a grocery store.’ (This can be a goal as much as a way of life.)

Related posts:

1. Losing Faith in Nutrition (Part 2)
2. Food Subsidies – Our Biggest Threat
3. Drink Soda, Get Fat or “Don’t Drink Yourself Fat”
4. Breakfast – what to eat, what to eat?
5. Are my tomatoes picked by slaves?

Tags: Food Politics, Michael Pollan, Nutrition