I recently came across a news report that prompted me to share my thoughts on a topic that deserves attention and consideration. Our busy lifestyles, the abundance of convenient yet nutrient-poor foods, and the alarming new data and projections on population health are deeply concerning and I’d like to shine a light on it.
How does it make you feel to hear that “current research shows that sometimes what is considered to be confectionery is being marketed to parents as nutritious food”?
It certainly rings alarm bells for me, seeing these big brands use their power and influence, prime positioning, and advertising to entice us to buy stuff: a) we don’t need; b) we know isn’t good for us – and so do they… 🤔
In summary, the report reveals that many toddler foods contain high sugar levels and are misleadingly marketed as healthy, targeting busy (well-meaning) parents. With no strict regulations, brands use terms like “natural” and “organic”, and images of fruit, to mask poor nutritional value. Nearly half of toddlers rely on these products for a significant portion of their diet.
It is clear that stronger regulations are desperately needed to ensure transparency and better food standards for young children. As quoted in the article:
“Parents are being misled. The majority of them believe these foods are healthy. They believe they are regulated by the government to ensure that they have an adequate amount of nutritional value that make them good for their kids, when, in fact, these regulations simply don’t exist.”
“How about we encapsulate all ages – children, teens, and adults – in a regulatory overhaul, and also include the cleaning and beauty industries? Wouldn’t that be great! (Sign my petition for cleaning product label transparency here.)
I’ve long been passionate about nutrition, having majored in Health Promotion during my university studies. This foundation in health sciences later led me to teach health education at the secondary level for the best part of a decade. Recently, I’ve been doing a super deep dive into the complex issues surrounding insulin resistance and sugar addiction, exploring their far-reaching health implications. The evidence is compelling: consuming high amounts of sugar, starches, refined and ultra-processed foods – as is common for the vast majority of us – can have devastating effects on our health.
The issue is systemic – yes, we’re being bombarded and enticed on the daily, and information can be conflicting – but let’s always remember that we have the final say: buy it or leave it on the shelf, put it in your mouth or don’t, move your body or sit down, scroll mindlessly or look up and have a conversation. We hold the power of choice, and the consequences are profoundly impactful – whichever direction we take.
So, what do we do?
Start by becoming a more mindful consumer. These tips are aimed at the kiddies in our lives but can certainly be applied to adults:
〉Get educated. Follow me, ask questions (I love teaching, and if I don’t know something I will research it and help you find the answer).
Continue learning with reputable sources that share valuable insights. The following people resonate for me as they tend to combine nutrition and chemical awareness to provide a more comprehensive and holistic understanding of health: Alexx Stuart, Dr. Daniel Amen, Jessie Inchauspé, Dr. Yvonne Burkart, Dr. Hyman.
My high school motto: knowledge is power (didn’t appreciate the power in the statement until I grew up!).
〉Keep an 80/20 – everything in moderation – approach in mind. You don’t have to do everything all of the time. Start with replacing a sugar/starch-laden packet of biscuits or crisps with a homemade muffin or fruit and cheese. There are alternatives available, and most are doable with a little research, planning and time. Try cutting just one ultra-processed food from your child’s day; ease in gently.
〉Read labels carefully and look beyond misleading marketing claims. Don’t take the package wording at face value.
〉Opt for whole, nutrient-dense foods whenever possible. The best food for your children is whole, real food: foods that are consumed in their natural state, or are created with minimal processing using those whole foods.
〉Cook at home using simple, wholesome ingredients as often as possible. Limit convenience food and limit food that comes pre-packaged (if it has a barcode and a lengthy ingredient list, look deeper!).
An added bonus is that by preparing your own meals and snacks, you’ll save money and reduce your environmental footprint through less packaging and waste.
〉Support brands that prioritise transparency and nutritional value. This will help them grow and (hopefully) overshadow the companies that pump out unhealthy food options.
Every effort you make, every step in the right direction, and every small change counts for something. Collectively, we can drive demand for better food standards.
Our children deserve our attention and effort. The argument that ‘we ate it as kids and turned out fine’ no longer holds weight. The food landscape has dramatically changed, with unprecedented levels of sugar, additives, preservatives, and chemical exposure through foods, as well as clothing, cosmetics, furnishings, and the air.
Let’s take back control of our health and our families’ wellbeing – one informed choice at a time.
