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Can You Spot Healthy Foods?

The U.S. government wants to change the definition of a “healthy” food. Will it help improve what people eat? 

As You Read, Think About: What are the benefits of eating healthy?

Read the Label
Watch a video to learn more about understanding nutrition labels.

You just got home from school and your stomach is growling. You open the fridge, looking for a healthy snack. But you aren’t sure what to choose.

If that sounds like you, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to help. The FDA is a part of the U.S. government responsible for protecting Americans’ health. It recently proposed changing the criteria that determine which foods can be labeled “healthy.” 

The rules differ depending on the type of food. According to the proposal, a healthy cereal must have no more than 2.5 grams of added sugars per serving. Many sugary cereals have more than four times that amount! It must also have no more than 230 milligrams of sodium, a mineral in salt.

The FDA’s goal is to help Americans spot healthy foods—and make better choices.

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Veggie sticks have fewer nutrients than whole veggies. But both can be part of a healthy diet.

Fueling Your Body

What you eat affects your health. Yet many kids—and adults—fall short in getting the important nutrients they need. Studies show that children tend to eat a lot of highly processed foods. Processed foods, like potato chips and frozen pizza, are packed with added ingredients. Most kids get too much sugar and sodium and not enough vegetables and whole grains. 

“A healthy diet gives you energy,” says Alexis Wood. She is a children’s nutrition expert. “It helps your body and brain grow.”

Behind the Changes

Currently, about 5 percent of the packaged foods you see in stores are labeled “healthy.” Companies can add the word to their product only if it meets the government’s criteria. 

But the FDA says its existing definition, written in 1994, is outdated. For one thing, it doesn’t include limits on added sugars. Yet scientists know that downing too many sweets can lead to type 2 diabetes, tooth decay, and more. That’s why most sweetened foods would no longer qualify as “healthy” under the new proposal. 

So what would be considered “healthy”? Unprocessed, natural foods like nuts, beans, fruits, and veggies would be on the list. Whole grain pasta, eggs, and fish would qualify too. So would certain low-fat yogurts and cheeses.

Balance It Out

Many nutrition experts agree that more Americans need to start eating healthier foods. But what’s even more important, they say, is eating a variety of foods. That helps ensure that you’re getting the different types of vitamins and nutrients your body needs. 

So does that mean you have to give up cupcakes or chips entirely? Wood says no—there’s nothing wrong with enjoying treats every now and then. Just be sure to eat healthier foods too, like veggies with hummus or yogurt topped with berries.

“Focus on balance,” Wood says. 

Slideshow
Learning to read nutrition labels on packaged foods can help you make healthy choices. Here’s what to look for.
  1. According to the article, what are processed foods? What are some examples?
  2. What does the FDA mean when it says its existing definition of “healthy” is outdated?
  3. Share two facts you can learn from the sidebar, “Read the Label.”
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