People often use mental shortcuts to help make fast decisions and reduce mental load, especially when we are busy. Sometimes these shortcuts are not helpful and cause us to make the wrong decision, which may be the case with health halos.
A health halo is a positive opinion we have about the overall health of a product based on a label or claim on a food’s packaging. The label is used as a mental shortcut, but can be misleading about overall health properties of a food causing us to assume or overestimate the health benefit of eating that product.
Our perceptions of foods do not always equate to reality. Read on as I shed light on some common health halos in foods and help you make an informed decision about the foods you eat.
ORGANIC
They are many reasons why an individual may choose to eat organic versus conventionally made food, but if those reasons relate to superior nutritional quality and lack of pesticide residue, then you have fallen prey to a health halo.
Organic foods in Canada are labeled if they contain more than 95% organic ingredients and do not contain synthetic pesticides, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics, or growth hormones. These foods are not necessarily pesticide-free as naturally-sourced pesticides are allowed to be used.
There is presently not enough evidence to determine whether organic foods are more or less nutritious than non-organic foods. Foods such as vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and eggs are nutritious whether organically grown or not. No matter the label on the foods you buy, be sure to follow food safety protocols such as washing the exterior of fruits and vegetables, and cooking meats to their proper temperatures before consumption.
ALL-NATURAL
Have you made the assumption that a food labeled ‘natural’ is healthy or healthier than a non-natural alternative? This is an example of a health halo.
In Canada, foods can be labeled natural if there are no added vitamins, minerals, artificial flavours, or food additives, and it has not undergone processing that significantly alters its original state. ‘Natural ingredients’ may also be labelled on foods if some of the ingredients are derived from natural sources; this can give the false impression that all ingredients in the product are naturally derived.
Note that the ‘natural’ label does not provide information about the food’s nutritional value; these foods can be high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fat which increases the risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Non-natural foods such as fortified soy beverages don’t need to be vilified—it's an excellent source of calcium and a good alternative for those that cannot drink cow’s milk.
GLUTEN-FREE
Gluten-free foods are necessary for those with celiac disease, but many non-celiac individuals are also buying these products, likely as a result of a health halo. The perception is that gluten-free foods are healthier than their gluten-containing counterparts, and that all gluten-free foods are healthful.
The gluten-free label indicates that a food has a very low content of wheat, barley, rye, and other gluten-containing grains. Many foods such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, and lean meats are naturally gluten-free. Like with the ‘natural’ label, the gluten-free label does not provide information about the product’s nutritional profile. These foods can be high in calories, sugar, fat, and sodium, and many lack essential vitamins and minerals.
You can learn more about the gluten-free diet in one of my previous posts linked here.
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