Isabelle Z. – The FDA is supposed to be a trusted organization, but many people who have even the remotest inkling of basic nutrition are scratching their heads over the agency’s official definition of “healthy.” You don’t need an advanced science degree to wonder how a highly processed cereal made in a factory could be considered healthier than a fruit plucked directly from a tree, but that’s exactly what the FDA would have you believe. That’s right: according to the FDA, Frosted Flakes are healthier than avocados!
The system by which it classifies food as healthy or unhealthy is very basic and outdated. It suggests that foods that have low amounts of sodium, fat and cholesterol, along with some “beneficial nutrients,” are considered healthy, without bothering to distinguish between unsaturated and saturated fats.
This is extremely misguided to say the least, as the source of a fat is a big consideration when it comes to health. In addition, food that was formed naturally is a lot healthier than its chemically engineered counterparts.
According to the FDA’s definition, avocados are not considered healthy because 1 ounce contains 4.5 grams of fat. It doesn’t matter to them that it is the “good” type of fat. Likewise, almonds, with their 14 grams of fat per ounce, and salmon, with its 11 grams of fat per 3-ounce serving, are also considered unhealthy foods despite their well-documented health benefits.