Does Industry Influence Diet?

From Lake News Online (MO). In a word...YES!

"America’s obesity problem continues to be a hot topic. Among kids, the problem is reaching crisis proportions, with 32 percent of children considered overweight, 16 percent obese and 11 percent extremely obese. Food companies are promoting changes they plan to make to help steer children toward more healthful choices. But, are the choices really better?

The following is food for thought: Food companies spend billions advertising unhealthy foods to kids through TV ads, Internet and in-store advertising. They also put foods into school vending machines and sports facilities, and they use product placement in movies and TV shows. Promotions using cartoon characters or giveaways entice kids to request those junk foods.

Look closely at the studies food companies cite. Studies that minimize the health concerns associated with certain food products are sometimes funded by the food industry.

The more processed a food is, the more profitable it is. Turning commodity crops, like wheat, corn and soybeans, into high-calorie, low-nutrient, processed foods is very profitable. There’s not much profit to be made in fresh fruits and
vegetables.

The more processed a food is, the less satisfying it is. Take an apple, for example. Fresh apples are full of fiber and nutrients. Processing it into applesauce and adding sugar increases the calories but decreases the nutrients and fiber content. Turn it into apple juice and virtually all fiber and nutrients are gone, yet the calorie content continues to rise.

Some so-called healthy replacement foods are not really any better. Substituting an energy drink, sports drink or vitamin water for soda isn’t really any healthier. Adding vitamins to soda is just another gimmick that doesn’t contribute to your overall health or make the soda any better for you.

Research shows that if a product has something added to it that consumers think is healthy, it sells easier. But, health claims on the label doesn’t necessarily mean the food is actually healthier. Claims like “zero trans fat” or “contains whole grains” create the impression that a product is healthy when it may not be. These products may still be loaded with sugar, salt or saturated fats.

Nutritional guidelines are confusing, in part because of food industry lobbying efforts. Lobbyists meet with federal agencies to discourage government officials from saying people should eat less of the food the lobbyist represents. Therefore, instead of guidelines that say “eat less meat,” the guidelines say something like “choose lean meats.”

Pay attention to the portion sizes on the nutrition label. Deceptive labels can make the overall nutritional value of the product seem better. For example, a can of soup might have “only” 440 mg sodium, but that can is supposed to serve two. Does it really?

Supermarkets and retailers know that products placed at eye level, at the ends of aisles and at the register sell better. Therefore, they put the most profitable foods in those locations. What’s the most profitable? The highly processed, high-calorie, low-nutrient junk foods, like chips, soda, candy and cookies. Retailers also know that items placed near the register often result in impulse buys.

Food companies defend their advertising techniques by reminding us that what we eat is a matter of personal choice. That’s true, but it’s often hard to resist, especially for children. My advice: remember that food companies are in the business of making a profit, not promoting health."