Are "Natural" Foods Sabotaging Your Health?

Have you ever chosen a food item merely because the word "natural" was written in bold, fancy letters? Many consumers are mislead by these labels, believing these food products are healthier than others. However, what does it mean if your food is labelled as "natural". In my opinion, it has no meaning. It is the most irrelevant word on your food label!

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration have not established a formal definition for labeling food products as "natural". The word is completely ambiguous. The agency states that the use of the term can be used if the food does not contain added colors, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances. That means anything from apples to pop-tarts can be classified as natural. They can still contain added sugars, hydrogenated oils, corn starch, GMO's, and pesticides. 

So, what can we do about it? To start, if it says "natural", ignore the claim! Secondly, read the list of ingredients. Don't let these food manufacturer's fool you. Become your own health advocate. Educate yourself on food labels so you can make informed decisions as to what exactly is in the food you are eating.

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