Column #52

Which food group scams consumers most?

1. Mainstream processors and distributors
2. Fast food restaurants
3. Major grocery stores
4. High end organic grocers
5. Health food stores
6. Health food marketing websites
7. Popular health shows like Dr. Oz
8. Mom and pop farmers selling at farmers markets

Most pick the first two and complain their food is loaded with deadly fat, salt, sugar, hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, preservatives, chemicals, and GMOs. The most hated companies include Monsanto, Walmart, and McDonalds. Oddly enough, the most loved includes Costco, Kraft Foods, Publix Supermarkets, and Kellogg.

Consumers who follow nutritional buzz agree and also avoid fast food, hydrogenated oils, and white bread. They like organic, super, natural, local, gluten free, lean, soy, nuts, juices, seeds, granola, low fat, whole grains, and foods with feel-good labels.

Most consumers are scammed to some degree. Even at farmer’s markets, erroneous beliefs abound regarding food, nutrition, and the food industry. Perception always trumps reality which is why most high-end foods come with feel-good names. The most egregious scammers have “health” and “organic” in their descriptions.

There’s a concise definition for food that is healthy. It has all nutrients in dense packages, 1:1 balances of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids, and is very low glycemic. Most politically correct foods are marketed on minor attributes rather than their total nutrient package.

The worst scammers peddle regular food as premium health foods. For instance, this November the big heritage, free-range turkey marketers will saturate the health food industry with turkeys. Because the fancy named turkeys were fed regular feed, their nutritional profiles are identical to far less expensive turkeys sold by Walmart.

These marketers lead consumers who are seeking better nutrition astray. If you examine the foods at your local health food store, you will discover that most provide no nutritional advantages over similar “Great Value” foods sold at Walmart.

Few consumers are willing to learn about food chemistry. Consequently, instead of eating foods that are truly healthy, consumers tend to:
1) Eat politically correct foods with haute names that are similar to regular fare
2) Eat vegan or vegetarian
3) Believe the body can safely utilize any food
4) Follow doctor’s nutritional advice
5) Follow USDA’s MyPlate guidelines
6) Eat the least expensive food
7) Live to eat, not eat to live

Consumers have choices but most don’t realize the importance of nutrition. Those suffering chronic diseases often demand drugs and operations rather than changing their diet. Some consumers follow the latest fad. Most affluent consumers eat for show or pleasure with nutrition being only facade. A tiny fraction actually eats nutritionally. Marketers know this. If they want high volume, they can’t offer real change because most consumers demand familiar flavors, socially acceptable foods, convenience, and eating out.

The truth behind nutritional science hasn’t changed for decades. The healthiest foods are still grass-fed meats, Omega-3 meats, wild-caught seafood, and green leafy vegetables. That’s an inconvenient truth that doesn’t fit well with consumers. This is why marketers of health foods are the most egregious scammers in the food business.

To your health.

Ted Slanker

Ted Slanker has been reporting on the fundamentals of nutritional research in publications, television and radio appearances, and at conferences since 1999. He condenses complex studies into the basics required for health and well-being. His eBook, The Real Diet of Man, is available online.

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