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Six Bogus Diet Buzzwords

Admin
Sep 30, 2017
4 min read

Every once in a while, I get a wild hair and decide to educate with some sassiness involved. As of lately, I have noticed how much chaos buzzwords surrounding food and diets are causing for the consumer.

So today, I want to bring you six buzzwords which have got to go! They lead to confusion for poor diet chasing Sally.

1. “Clean eating”

What exactly does this mean? This is so subjective. When I hear these two words used I do not voice my own opinion but rather, listen to what clean eating means to them. There is no real objective measure with this phrase. It varies depending on person, totally subjective. And does very little except cause confusion for those desiring to pursue a healthy lifestyle. How do I eat clean? What is dirty?

Confession: Every time I hear “clean eating” being used, I immediately imagine washing your foods.

“Be sure to wash your bananas Sally, to ensure they are clean!” Bahahaha

2. “All- Natural”

Yup. A phrase which really holds no weight. Many things are full of sugar (which is natural) and junk are labeled as “all-natural” on the front label.

What a fabulous marketing scheme they have going on! Since natural must be better, right? Well did you know Haagen-Dazs ice cream, a high fat, calorically dense food, sure to contribute hefty amounts of sugar to your day, is labeled “all-natural”?

There is no real definition outlined by the Food and Drug Association (FDA, aka the folks who regulate the terms used and more). So products can really doop you with the use of this term!

Sorry Sally, it is all-nothing.

3. “Organic”

Yes, organically grown can be an amazing option. But can we chill please?

Organic everything is not necessary. AND organic dessert is still DESSERT. Organic does not imply the food is nutritious or healthy. They can actually be high sources of discretionary calories, and sodium.

Now Sally, I am not bashing organic, there are plenty of awesome organic, or locally grown foods I would direct you to purchase, but organic brownies… STILL brownies.

4. “Fresh”

Ok, for this one, let’s reverse the marketing claim on this one. Grabbing a product with the phrase, “made yesterday” or “frozen green beans”… umm, yeah does not make me want to toss it in my cart.

Fresh is a term used very often on menus as a part of menu psychology which is a technique we have figured out on how to sell you food. It is a science, on how to get you to buy MORE. And fresh is one of those words which are mostly used to get your wallet out.

Now fresh veggies are always better than frozen or canned, but do not be confused Sally. It is another word used to get you to buy it!

Example, fast-food chain XYZ offers "fresh cut fries".

5. “Protein”

Ok, so I will have a lot of people not happy with me over this one, but just hear me out!

Currently we are protein crazed. Protein this, that, more, more, more. Well y’all… we can only absorb so much, and only need so much.

Yes, it does help regulate blood sugar levels when eaten in combination with carbohydrates, yes it does keep you fuller longer. But my issue with this word is how marketing is being used!

For example, I made a hungry stop at a gas station due to not being prepared AND the commute becoming a standstill…. As I browsed the aisles for something I could munch on to satisfy my hunger, yet not ruin my nutrition plan, I came to the nuts area. Next to the cheapo plain peanuts I noticed a marketing scheme. PROTEIN PEANUTS. Big letters, eye catching. Being the sassy person I am, I snagged the bag and turned it over. And guess what? Same exact nutrition facts as the 50 cent pack right next to them! Yet these were more than three times the price!

How many Sally’s have been suckered into these “PROTEIN peanuts”? I mean common, let’s just call it for what it really is, “PEANUTS”.

My point? Read the labels, and do not be fooled by their marketing on the front of the package to sell you on an already protein packed option for twice the price. And then turn around and say how expensive it is to eat healthy. Nutrition facts on labels, not the front, but the back, are beneficial, even if just for a glance.

6. “Healthy”

Oh my, how subjective is this? Many folks need many different nutrition plans. The diets we have out there have blown this word out of the water with usage. If a cookie cutter approach worked, I would not have a job. Sally, what is healthy for one, is poison for another.

Yet again, skip promises on the front of labels. Do not fall for the ideas of this diet or that diet. Rather save your money and shop for “fresh” fruits and veggies, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean meats, and fish.

So dear diet chasing Sally, leave out the titles, and just stick to the basics.

I hope I have helped you muddle your way through the marketing tactics thrown at you to take your cash!

Much Love & Sass,