FitBuster articles spotlight foods and fitness trends that APPEAR to be healthy, but, after a closer look, really aren’t all they are cracked up to be.
Before I dive into the bold-faced lie this company has plastered on their food label, I have to share the ugly truth. This is a truth I tell every client I take on grocery store visit and many others who feel deceived when evaluating food items- the food industry does not care about you. Period. I know we all grew up thinking that food companies had our best interests at heart, but the truth is, the food industry is just that… an industry. It is a business with the sole intent of making money. Why does this matter? Because, the sooner you internalize that fact, the sooner you will realize that your health has to be your own responsibility and nothing you eat can be taken at face value. Doubtful? Let’s look at exhibit A:
Dannon Light & Fit 100 Calorie Greek yogurt with chocolate on top. Now, I have to preface these comments with the disclaimer that I have never eaten this yogurt. I actually dislike the taste of yogurt. But as a self-proclaimed recovering chocolate addict, if I were a yogurt eater, this container would appeal to me. Chocolate? 100 Calories? So, I can have my cake… err… chocolate… and eat it, too? Sounds like a win!
Quick glance at the nutrition label, and it doesn’t look half bad, as far as yogurts go. So by now, Dannon has you hyped up. Instead of that chocolate candy bar you would have normally eaten, which has 2-3 times the amount of calories, now you can get your fix from this seemingly healthy yogurt. Right? Let’s look again…
Now, you’re eating your yogurt, licking the spoon, have almost finished the container, and notice some small writing on the side. Wait… what is this?
Yep, you read that correctly. On the nutrition label, Dannon only showed you the nutrition facts for the yogurt. Yogurt WITH TOPPINGS (i.e. chocolate) has 190 calories and 6g of fat per serving. Math may not have been your best subject, but I think we can all easily calculate that 190 calories is almost TWICE AS MANY CALORIES as what is advertised on the front or displayed on the nutrition label. In fact, Dannon just called your bluff, because they know you’re not going to read all the fine print written all over the container. AND, they know you are not going through the trouble of removing the toppings from the yogurt. After all, you purchased yogurt with chocolate on top for a reason… it’s because you plan on eating the chocolate!
Has anyone ever lied to you about something small and you caught them in that lie? Didn’t it make you wonder, if you deceived me about something this small, can I really believe anything you tell me? As they say, fool you once, shame on them. Fool you twice, shame on you. Well, Dannon has played all of us for a fool by selling us 100 Calorie yogurt that’s really 190 calories!
As I mentioned before, the food industry does not care about you or your health goals. If there is a food product that has to scream, “HEY, I’m healthy,” take another look. Food companies play on your emotions and will put certain buzz words on products in hopes that you will grab and go without looking twice. Become a food detective and evaluate everything you purchase, especially if it comes from a package.
Written By:
Joy Diggs, MS, CPT, RD, LD, WLS
Certified Personal Trainer
Registered and Licensed Dietitian
Certified Weight Loss Specialist
Owner, Digg Deep Fitness
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