The Blurred Lines of Healthy Eating

The Subjectivity of Healthy Eating

What constitutes “healthy” eating is often subjective, varying greatly from person to person. A hearty turkey chili might be considered the epitome of health by one individual, while a vegan might have a vastly different opinion. However, when it comes to government agencies managing our food supply, the boundaries of healthy eating become more defined.

Government Agencies’ Definitions of Healthy

The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture, call for Americans to follow a “healthy eating pattern.” This pattern includes an appropriate amount of calories, nutrient-dense foods, and limited amounts of added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides a stricter definition of “healthy” along with regulations regarding food labels. According to the FDA, a food can be labeled as “healthy” if it meets specific requirements, including being low in total fat, saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol, and providing at least 10% of the daily value of certain nutrients.

Controversy and Redefining What Healthy Means

The FDA’s definition of “healthy” has sparked controversy, particularly when they sent a warning letter to KIND Snacks in 2015, citing that their bars didn’t meet the requirements due to their high fat content. KIND’s CEO, Daniel Lubetzky, saw an opportunity to challenge the FDA’s outdated definition of healthy and filed a citizen petition to request that the FDA update its regulations around the term “healthy.”

The Science Behind Fats

Studies have consistently shown that not all fats are bad. In fact, our bodies can benefit from eating more of the right fats. High-fat foods like nuts, salmon, olive oil, and avocados are objectively healthful but can’t be labeled “healthy” under the current FDA guidelines. On the other hand, sugar-free puddings, breakfast pastries, or sugary cereals can be labeled “healthy” despite lacking nutrient density.

The Bigger Issue at Stake

The FDA’s regulation is part of a larger national conversation about nutrition that needs to be revisited. The definition of healthy has to be changed to reflect modern science and expert dietary guidance. As a country, we’re failing to get the message out that healthy fats are good, while hydrogenated and trans fats are unhealthy.

The Benefits of Fats

Eating more good fats can have numerous health benefits, including:

• promoting healthy hair and skin
• decreasing inflammation
• boosting brain power
• relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression

Fats also play a big role in satiety, mood regulation, and hormonal balance.

Your Action Plan

When making decisions about what’s healthy for you, remember that it’s all about balance. Focus on the type of fat, avoiding hydrogranted or trans fats, and opt for nutrient-dense foods. Consider calories, protein-to-carbs ratios, and total sugars when choosing snacks. And don’t be afraid to indulge in healthy fats – they’re not the enemy!