Terms such as ‘low-fat’ and ‘reduced-calorie’ are very alluring for those attempting to eat healthily, but finding foods that are genuinely better for you isn’t always as straightforward as it seems.

The supermarket shelves are stacked with supposedly ‘healthier’ alternatives to the foods we can’t resist. Too often, we let ourselves be fooled into thinking we’re making ‘healthy’ choices. After all, if it’s dressed up to look scrumptious and leads us to believe we can have something a little bit naughty and get away with it, it must be better. But ‘better’ than what?

Manufacturers are responding to health experts’ and shoppers’ concerns and have been removing trans-fats from and reducing salt levels in some processed foods. However, there’s still nothing to stop them giving the misleading impression that their foods are healthier than they really are.

Labelling legislation is woolly, and the National Consumer Council is pressing for clearer, enforceable food labelling right across Europe. The EU-wide review of food labelling will be published later this year and aims to tighten up inconsistencies that allow products that are high in salt to boast that they’re low-fat, for example, as well as banning health claims that don’t have scientific backing.

There’s no legal definition of ‘low-fat’ although, as a guideline, three to 20 per cent is considered a moderate amount of total fat in a food. By law, manufacturers’ claims mustn’t mislead consumers, but beware of high sugar content in some low-fat foods. A ‘Goodies’ range ‘low-fat’ strawberry
trifle produced by Danone, for example, is high in sugar, with a whopping 628 calories per pot.

Currently a ‘reduced fat’ claim on the label means that the food should be 25 per cent lower in fat than the standard product, but that still doesn’t mean that it’s at the lower end of the fat-content spectrum.

Similarly, Government guidelines state that the term ‘reduced-calorie’ should mean that calories are at least 25 per cent lower than in the standard version. Be careful though – ‘reduced calorie’ or ‘lighter’ isn’t the same thing as ‘low in calories’. For example, lower-fat or slimming versions of biscuits – the Weight Watchers brand, for example, or Mr Kipling’s ‘Delightful’ range (of chocolate brownies or cherry Bakewells) – are still high in calories. A ‘lighter’ cherry Bakewell is 179 calories compared to 198 calories for the standard version, for example.

taken from here bbc.co.uk/food/food_matters/healthyeating.shtml

Nowadays it is very uneasy to keep yourself healthy and in a good shape. Most of the food stuffs are raised with using all sorts of nitrates and genetically modified substances. This creates really bad effects on the health of the society.

The genetically modified food had appeared not so long ago. I guess these technologies started developing in the early 90….
Now available people search.

You may very well not be overweight! Society across the Western World is obsessed with being overweight. There is a marked prevalence for women to perceive themselves as being “fat”. (15% less men than women generally consider themselves as being overweight.) Fat tissue is a vital component of the human body.

It stores energy, provides thermal insulation and forms a protective layer against damage or impact. The media is constantly driving the “You are fat!!” message across our television screens, computer screens, newspapers and radio programs. Hardly a day goes by without a “lose weight/you are overweight/diet now” message being rammed down our throats. Dieting is a multi million dollar industry.

Obesity is defined as excessive body fat usually measured as 30 pounds or more over ideal body weight or a Body Mass Index of 30 or more. Another obesity definition is being 20% over your ideal body weight. These are inherently nebulous statements as each one of us is genetically different and our body structures vary. In excess of 20% of Americans exceed their ideal body weight and by this definition are obese! Prejudice, bias and peer pressure contribute to the misunderstanding of obesity.