This is the 5140th article of Da Yi Xiao Nursing
On the shelves of supermarkets, we can often see a dazzling array of food, most of which are dressed in a beautiful "coat" (the packaging is very beautiful and textured) to attract the attention of consumers. These "outerwear" styles are different, but they serve the same purpose, which is to influence our perception of the nutritional value of the product. To be precise, it's the marketing copy that food producers and suppliers have spared no expense in crafting. You might say that how a good food has become a marketing term in the mouth, is it outrageous, right?
Why don't we recall those beautiful "coats"? Today, let's not talk about the "zero-calorie", "low-fat", or "sugar-free" labels that once swept the market. That "naturally fruity", "extra vitamins", "100% natural", "organic" 。。。。。。 Are you impressed?
(The picture comes from the Internet)
Sometimes, what we think of as meaning may not be what it actually means – the lure of "cloak" comes into play. Food packaging usually contains information describing the nutritional value of the product (such as energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, sodium, etc.), and these descriptions must not violate the regulations. Foods also don't advertise any curative effects or weight loss, but they don't say they can't imply health benefits. As a result, savvy merchants will choose to highlight terms such as "calcium can promote bone health" on their packaging, which will convince consumers that these foods are healthier, and naturally ignore the information on the nutrition facts list, and the marketing effect can be said to be a matter of course.
Next, let's take a look at a few special "outerwear"
Outerwear 1: Natural fruitiness
Especially the drink, which we thought was fresh juice and low in calories. But in reality, fruit juice concentrate with added sugar is used.
Outerwear 2: 100% natural
We thought it was completely (because it says 100% on the package) made from natural ingredients with no additives. In fact, it does not mean that there are no additives or treatments. Many products are labeled "natural" but may still contain processed ingredients, and locking the ingredient list is key.
(The picture comes from the Internet)
Outerwear three: organic
Organic simply refers to the method of production, that is, the production process does not use synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The concept should not be confused with nutritional value. At the same time, in food packaging, businesses will also use traditional, farm, fresh ingredients and other natural pictures to greatly stimulate consumers' imagination of small but refined production methods, giving healthy vitality. But in reality, additives or highly refined raw materials are indispensable.
Outerwear four: add extra vitamins or dietary fiber
We thought we could meet our daily needs for dietary fiber and vitamins to a certain extent. The United States Anti-Cancer Association emphasizes the importance of dietary fiber, recommending that each person should consume 30-40 grams per day; The Chinese Nutrition Society recommends that residents should consume 25-35g of dietary fiber per day. In fact, dietary fiber or vitamins added to foods alone cannot replace a balanced diet, and the amount added to a single food may not meet daily needs. Therefore, it is recommended to give preference to whole grains, fruits and vegetables, legumes and other natural foods to ensure that the intake of fiber and vitamins is diverse.
Outerwear five: gluten-free
This is important for people who need to avoid gluten, but gluten-free doesn't necessarily mean healthy. Many gluten-free products may contain high sugar or fat ingredients.
(The picture comes from the Internet)
The truth about marketing jargon, do you understand it now? So, when we are confronted with all kinds of "coats", it is important to think critically and read the ingredient list and nutrition label carefully to achieve a healthy diet.
Author: Shanghai Changning District Center for Disease Control and Prevention
(Shanghai Changning District Health Supervision Institute)
Magical sister Lily
Some of the pictures are taken from the Internet, if there is any infringement, please inform us and delete it.
所有人名和地名均为化名，如有雷同，纯属巧合。