Health Food Scams: Misleading Marketing Confuses Consumers

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Health Food Scams

Recently, consumers have become more health-conscious, and food producers are taking note. “Healthy” alternatives to traditional favorites have been cropping up everywhere. However, the actual nutritional value of these foods is often obscured by clever marketing and packaging.

In reality, many of these supposedly healthy options are not much better – and in some cases even worse – than the foods they are trying to replace. Below are some of the most common food industry scams that mislead consumers.

Natural Sweeteners

When reading nutrition labels to avoid health food scams, natural sweeteners are the second most sought-after item that people look for after determining what kind of fat is in the product. The truth, however, is that any type of sugar used as a sweetener is processed in the body the same way, whether it is natural or not.

The Food and Drug Administration has yet to conclusively define what exactly constitutes “natural” food products, meaning that the moniker is more of a marketing tool than a truthful claim about the origin of the product.

Diet Soda

Drinking diet instead of regular soda may seem like a healthy compromise, but just because the word “diet” is on the label does not mean that the product is healthy or diet-friendly.

Sure, diet sodas may have less sugar and calories than their original counterparts, but they still cause weight gain and sugar spikes just like regular soda. This makes it confusing and harder to avoid health food scams.

Fruit and Vegetable Juices

Many juices claim that there are multiple servings of fruits or vegetables per glass. This makes consumers believe that they can get all of their nutrients from the juices. Liquefied produce has more nutrients per serving, right?

Not necessarily. Fruits and even vegetables naturally contain sugar, and extra sugar is added to the juice. Meanwhile, the most nutritious parts of the produce such as apple skin are removed in the juicing process.

While juice may be a good option for occasional consumption, all the extra sugar is not healthy and nothing beats the nutritional punch of a regular piece of fruit so avoid these health food scams.

Sea Salt

The recent craze for sea salt touts the product as a healthier, more natural alternative to regular table salt. The truth is that the body processes all salt equally, whether it is average table salt or gourmet sea salt. The popularity of this type of salt makes it an easy target for health food scams.

Sea salt can have the same negative effects, such as high blood pressure and heart complications, as other types of salt so it is best taken in moderation.

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High Fiber

Many people are concerned about getting enough fiber in their diet, so the industry has responded by branding products as being high in fiber – and therefore “good” for you.

Most processed foods that claim to be high in fiber use ingredients such as sorbitol, maltodextrin, and inulin to mimic fiber. These additives are not as healthy or wholesome as the real thing, naturally found in plant matter like fresh fruits and vegetables.

Gluten-Free

Gluten, a natural product in cereal grains like rye and wheat, is one of the latest nutritional villains targeted by the media and marketing.

Gluten-free products are flooding grocery stores. This is good news – for the less than one percent of people with celiac disease. However, for those without celiac disease, gluten-free products are not necessarily healthier options than their gluten-containing counterparts.

Gluten-free products typically have more calories (many from sugar) and less fiber than the gluten originals. Not to mention that gluten-free products can be twice as expensive.

Be On the Lookout

These are just a few of the health food scams that are currently plaguing our society. According to a consumer protection agency that specializes in credit card scams and other types of fraud protection, scams – no matter the industry – come and go. Just like anything else, certain misleading and unscrupulous tactics are in vogue just for the time being.

There will always be people looking for ways to earn an easy buck. Don’t let your health be subject to these dishonest practices.

The next time you go grocery shopping, be wary of sleek marketing campaigns. Just because the packaging claims that the product is “all natural,” “diet,” or “high in fiber” does not mean that it is healthy.

Know what you’re buying and opt for foods that are proven to be healthy, such as lean meats and fresh fruits and vegetables, whenever possible. You might think the food industry has your best interests at heart, but they really might just be scammers and fraudsters!

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Sandy J Duncan
Sandy Duncan is completing her Doctorate in Integrative Medicine, a health and wellness coach, Certified Neurofeedback specialist and author of AllNaturalHealthReviews.org. Read honest reviews on current health and wellness products as well as register for FREE giveaways.