When you see the word “natural” on a food package, does it make you feel like the food is somehow healthier or better for you? That was the concensus among attendees at this morning’s “Get Fit Friday: WALK & TALK” session. Thankfully, these are savvy consumers; they are frequently skeptical of just how “natural” the product truly is. And they should be!
Food companies know that “natural” makes a difference in how their products sell; in 2008, “natural” products made up 23 percent of new products featured worldwide. In the U.S., one-third of new products carried the “all natural” claim (source; “Read It Before You Eat It.” Bonnie Taub-Dix, MA, RD, CDM). Yet the FDA has no set definition for the word “natural”, so essentially companies can toss the word onto just about any food label. That leaves you on your own to determine the actual healthfulness.
My advice? Read beyond the pretty, natural-looking packaging; check out the ingredient list to be certain that natural product isn’t loaded with added sugars, unhealthy fats, artificial colors and flavors, or preservatives – you’ll be suprised at how many are. And remember, “natural” potato chips are still potato chips; the calories, fat, and sodium are typically the same as any other “unnatural” chip!