RIO Fitness Chicago® Exercise & Nutrition Blog

RIO Fitness Chicago® Tip:

With a resolution to get in shape for 2012, you might be looking for healthy options to consume. Now you're seeing things like "whole wheat," "natural," "organic," and think they're healthier; but what do those buzz words that companies use to sell more product really mean?

1) "WHOLE WHEAT" can mean it's just the skin of grain. Unless it says 100% whole grain it's not the whole of anything.

2) "NATURAL." The U.S. FDA does not define nor regulate this term. If the food does not contain added color, artificial flavors or synthetic substances it may be labeled natural. Synthetic substances have been linked with hyperactivity in children and cancer.

3) "ORGANIC" means a farm must have been pesticide/herbicide free for at least three years. An organic label indicates 95% of the product is organic. A food with at least 70% organic ingredients can be labeled “made with organic ingredients.” Organic does not guarantee that it was produced on a small farm, is healthy, or that animals were treated humanely.