Over the past few years, we have seen more and more people adopting a healthier lifestyle and diet. With time, their kitchens have undergone a major transformation – from replacing maida with whole grains to adding healthy snacks instead of chips and biscuits. In fact, this is the time when people rush to the supermarket to buy only foods labelled healthy. But the question is, are these packaged foods claiming to be healthy actually rich in nutrients? The answer is, not always! Many researchers and food experts around the world have claimed that these labels on packets can often be misleading. This makes us wonder – are we mislead? Are these “healthy” looking snacks in the pantry good to eat? Dear reader, don’t worry! We have found a simple solution to this universal problem. Recently, we came across an Instagram post by nutritionist Anjali Mukherjee, in which she has explained the most commonly used misleading labels on our food packages. Let’s explain further.
What does the word ‘healthy’ mean when it comes to food?
According to a report from the University of California, food can be considered healthy if it is not linked to the development of long-term disease. When it comes to packaged foods, the term “healthy” should be used in a way that points consumers toward food products that are more or less unadulterated and unprocessed and contain ingredients they can recognize. The report goes on to say, “A long list of unrecognizable ingredients should be cause for concern,” explaining that popcorn kernels are healthy, but those that are microwaveable and have trans fats and added salt may not fall into the same category.
This is why it becomes even more important to scan the packaging of every food product to find out whether it is healthy or not.
Also read: Do you eat junk food and sweets when you are stressed? This may increase your anxiety: Study
3 simple tricks to decipher confusing labels on food packaging:
1. “Low-fat” foods:
Anything that comes with a “low fat” tag can get us instantly excited. Isn’t it? But did you know that many low fat foods can actually be high in calories – due to added sugar and refined flour in the recipe? This is why nutritionist Anjali Mukherjee recommends checking the total calories of a food item before judging it as healthy or unhealthy.
2. “Sugar Free” Claims:
Such claims can easily tempt a person suffering from diabetes or trying to cut calories for weight loss. And this is where many of you go wrong. Sugar-free foods like processed grains can be high in fat, potentially contributing to higher calorie intake. Therefore, experts suggest checking the total carb content of the food before buying.
3. “Cholesterol Free” Claims:
Nutritionist Anjali Mukherjee says that oils derived from plants do not naturally contain cholesterol. But they are 100 percent fat and should be consumed in moderation. Also, one must remember that high consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods increases cholesterol.
Also read: Nutritionist Simrun Chopra on health and diet: ‘There is no such thing as good or bad food’ – NDTV Exclusive
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So, we say, check the labels thoroughly every time to make informed decisions about your overall diet. Eat wisely and stay safe!