Healthwashing is a term used to describe the activities of companies and groups that position themselves as leaders in the crusade for good health while engaging in practices that may be contributing to our poor health. A good product will stand on its own merits and not on marketing claims. Much like brain-washed or white-washed, is the act of misguiding the customer that the food industry indulges in to keep its profits churning. Often brands give out misinformation about their products and their ingredients. Experts say the brands will keep doing so, it's the consumers who need to make better choices. Experts say customers need to become smart buyers.

Common healthwashing labels – Low fat, low calorie, fat-free, sugar-free, 100%natural, fortified with, gluten-free, dairy-free, source of omega 3s, low sodium, low cholesterol, etc.

6 Ways to distinguish healthwashing

Read the ingredients first - The only part of a label worth reading is the ingredient list. Always look at the side or back of the box to read the ingredients first and not just judge by what’s promised across the product. Check for uncommon complex names.

Natural and organic don’t mean healthy - Just because a food is in a natural form or 100% organic, does not mean it’s healthy. Something that is gluten-free could still be loaded with sugars, unhealthy oils, or be packed with ingredients that are harmful. 

Beware of natural flavor or coloring flavors, natural sweeteners.

Go green - Choose products that have natural ingredients, are environment friendly, sustainable, clean, and have healthy packaging devoid of plastic. If the majority of the product can be recreated in your kitchen, it’s a sign of it being healthy.

Shift to whole food - Fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, herbs, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and organic and naturally raised animal foods are incredibly nutritious, they offer us energy, balance blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation, and improve our overall health.

Beware of ingredients splitting - Often packaged food companies will split sugar into glucose, fructose, cane sugar, beet sugar, corn syrup, barley malt, molasses, etc. They use any number of names and use a few different ones so that sugar won’t appear first on the ingredient list.