Eating a healthy, balanced diet is important. Unfortunately, it can also be confusing! The other day, while food shopping, I noticed something alarming: A Health Check symbol on a frozen chicken dinner. At first, I thought my eyes had robbed me. They couldn't possibly suggest such a food; it's processed! I picked up the frozen dinner and, sure enough, the health Check symbol was there!
After looking at the heart and Stroke website, I located realize that the official standards are not based on organic, raw foods, but instead on nutritional facts. As long as the foods have minimal calories, sodium, and trans-fat, they meet Health Check requirements. Moreover, criteria are also based on the purchasing patterns of Canadians, and market facts.
What exactly does this mean?
Well, since statistics represent that Canadians tend to eat out at least one time each week, the heart and Stroke Foundation will suggest 'healthier options' at takeaway food locations. For instance, a thin brown crust area chicken garlic bread at Garlic bread Hut has the Health Check approval. In comparison to the other pizza on their menu, the chicken one is indeed a better option, however garlic bread in general isn't the greatest. Health conscious customers are led to believe that this option is diet-friendly, when sadly, it is not.
Health Check criteria asserts that two hundred and fifty grams of garlic bread must have teen grams or less of fat, 10 grams or more of protein and no more than 960 mg of sodium Private Clinic London. Such criteria may be good for someone trying to make better choices but again; is it a healthy and nutritious choice?
Now don't get me wrong. Though problematic, I think that the Heart and Stroke Foundation's Health Check Program is a good start. Especially, for folks looking to gradually increase their wellness. However, it is definitely not the be all and end all. A low-calorie diet consisting of processed foods is just a bad (if not worse) as a whole-food higher calorie diet.
The microwavable dishes endorsed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation (and other healthy option programs) do not secure the calories and nutrients required for a healthy and balanced diet, leaving people susceptible to a variety of health problems when our diets lack important nutrients and when the foods consist of chemicals. Eating healthy is not just about low-calorie, low-sodium, and zero fat, it's about organic and/or raw foods; foods that have not been manufactured at a processing plant, and as such secure the nutrients and vitamins necessary to lead a healthy life and even prevent diseases.
What I hope you eliminate from this article is this: We must not accept endorsements blindly. I gave the heart Check as an example, but have a look around. There are several "healthy" checks out there from different organization/association that are selling the products. Ask yourself this question: who advantages of it? You the consumer; or the person marketing the product?
Food for thought...! We must take our wellbeing into our own hands and educate ourselves along the way. Instead of purchasing something (be it while food shopping, or at restaurant) because of the Health Check symbol beside its name, see the nutritional facts. Decide for yourself whether the item is healthy or not. Take into consideration the ingredients, how it was made, and the amount of calories, bad fats, and sodium. Gravitate towards raw foods (vegetables, fruits, nut products, and so on), for these are the foods that have the vitamins you and your family need to achieve optimal health.
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