The Health Halo Effect: Do You Really Know What You’re Buying at the Grocery Store?
September 20, 2013
By Kristen Tice, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
September 20, 2013
Have you ever heard of the term health halo effect? If not, don’t worry; you’re not alone. Most of my clients had never heard of this term until I brought it up to them because they were guilty of falling for health halo foods. It’s not until I take them to the grocery store for a grocery store tour that they truly understand what this means.
In short, food manufacturers want you to buy their product and will tell you just about anything you want to get you to buy it. Ever notice that it seems like every year there is something else that you need to look out for at the grocery store?? For example, way back when it was sugar-free, a few years ago it was made with whole grains, next came the organic craze and now it’s all about all natural. Have you ever asked yourself what does all natural even mean? I don’t. The only things I know that are all natural are a fruit or vegetable that has come straight out of the ground. Did you also know that there is no definition for natural? So essentially, food manufacturers are putting natural on their label because it looks and sounds good; plus you’re more likely to buy it.
The health halo effect is essentially foods that appear to be healthy but really aren’t. A few good examples:
Vanilla Almond Milk
How could you go wrong? It’s 90 calories of pure deliciousness, it’s made from almonds, and high in calcium! Well for starters, there’s only 1 gram of protein per 8 oz cup; compared to 8 grams of filling, blood sugar-stabilizing protein in 8 oz skim milk. Secondly, there’s a whopping 16 grams of sugar in almond milk! That’s added sugar too- the second ingredient is cane sugar and don’t let the fancy cane sugar name fool you. Added sugar is added sugar. With skim milk you’re getting 12 g of slower-digesting lactose sugars, a naturally occurring sugar that is utilized much differently by your body. Both are only 90 calories per 8 oz cup.
What about all the vitamins and minerals found in almond milk? Well if you read the ingredients, you will notice that they are added or fortified to the almond milk. Supplemented vitamins and minerals are not absorbed and utilized as well as naturally occurring vitamins and minerals- this is just the same thing as taking a multivitamin.
With all that said, you’re better off saving yourself a few bucks and buying skim milk. If you’re lactose intolerant, go for Lactaid Milk or light plain soymilk.
Veggie Pasta
Vegetables in my pasta?! You mean I don’t have to eat any vegetables with this pasta? Wrong! Veggie pastas only have vegetable juice added to the pasta, which offers little to no benefit. The only benefit you’ll get is some fun colors on your plate. It still has the same amount of carbohydrates per serving and not anymore fiber. Essentially, you’re eating white pasta with some food coloring in it from vegetables.
You’re better off eating whole wheat pasta mixed with vegetables (more vegetables than pasta, unless you’re an athlete). You will be eating significantly more fiber, vitamins, minerals and saving on calories and carbohydrates this way. If you don’t like big chunks of vegetables in your pasta, dice them up into small pieces. Don’t like the texture of whole wheat pasta? Barilla Plus pasta is a good alternative….look for it in the yellow box in the pasta aisle.
Next time you’re in the grocery store, beware of anything that say’s natural, sugar-free, fat-free, only 5 grams net carbs, made with whole grain, etc. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Want to learn more about how to fill up your shopping cart without falling into the health halo trap? Sign up for one of Elite Nutrition & Performance’s grocery store tours! Next tour is scheduled for September 30th!
Want more examples? Check out these videos!
For more tips and help with your own personal nutrition plan, visit www.EliteNutritionandPerformance.com
Kristen Tice, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Registered Sports Dietitian, Certified Personal Trainer
[email protected]
803-200-2506
www.EliteNutritionandPerformance.com
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