Posted by Eleni Prokopeas on Nov.14, 2009

©iStockphoto.com - DivaNir4a

Mothers concerned about their child’s health may prefer to shop at health food stores, thinking that the aisles of a health food store must be stocked with nothing but the best, most nutritious foods. But health food stores aren’t immune to stocking junk food, and the atmosphere of a health food store can lull parents into complacency about snacks and meals. Even the most educated, well-informed mothers push grocery carts that are surprising in their unhealthiness around the local health food store.

These parents have the best intentions, but just because certain foods are found in a health store does not make them healthier or better for you.  I see so much junk food passed off as healthy organic snacks, I just want to scream. Manufacturers have learned that they can increase sales and justify significant price increases, simply by putting the word “organic” or “natural” on the label. But “organic” doesn’t always mean “healthy.” Organic gummi bears are still gummi bears, even if the corn syrup in them comes from corn grown without pesticides, and the colors are derived from plant juices.

Don’t Be Fooled by Greenwashed Junk Food

In food marketing, “organic” refers only to the growing methods; organic food can be just as processed, or even more so, than conventional convenience foods, and this processing is what leaves the junk and takes out the food. You can buy organic refined sugar, white flour, potato chips, corn chips, doughnuts, waffles, sugared cereals, pizza, and frozen dinners at your local health food store. All of these products are highly processed, contain little to no nutritional value and provide a high glycemic load.  Remember, good nutrition stimulates the brain and increases brain activity. Bad nutrition–even if it is organic, fair trade and packaged in a biodegradable box of corn-based plastic under printed with soy ink–is still bad nutrition and can slow the brain and make all the body’s systems sluggish.

Navigating the Health Food Store

Avoiding junk food requires a change of eating habits, not just a change in the source of the junk food and the labeling. Snacking on fresh produce is healthier than processed snack foods, but takes some advanced planning since fruit spoils faster than a box of organic sandwich cookies. Keep healthy foods around and convenient to eliminate temptation. Plan ahead for healthy, quick meals like throw-together soups, so you don’t need to rely on the health food store’s boxed mac’n'cheese on busy nights.

Shop a health food store the same way you shop the supermarket, and you can avoid the worst of the organic junk food. Skip the same aisles in the health food store as you would in the regular grocery store: baked goods, snack foods, cereals, and ice creams. Stick to whole foods and fresh produce.  Try to add a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet and eat local and in season when possible.

Eat smart and spend wisely!

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