In our daily conversations, we often mention the term healthy food, but do we know its true meaning? We have created our image of what healthy food means based on a simplified approach to food and nutrition, the slang we use, and everyday advertisements offered to us in different forms.
What this term actually means often remains the understanding and thinking of each of us.

We often associate it with certain foods or products that can positively affect our health, right? It usually incorporates high-value ingredients, a combination of nutrients or ecologically produced products of a more suitable, less aggressive production process.

Although there is a lot of truth, this is only partially accurate.

In a narrower definition, the term healthy food covers all food that meets the minimum microbiological criteria; food without proven harmful chemical substances above determined levels and without the remains of foreign bodies. According to this criterion, such food is considered safe for consumption because the influence of harmful substances from the environment and the production process is minimized and does not pose a risk to human health.

This would mean, with particular caution, that all the food on the shelves of our stores is healthy, that is, safe for consumption.

In a broader definition, however, we should not ignore what this food represents in terms of its composition when implementing a balanced diet. An important question we must ask ourselves is which foods or products we choose when buying and in what quantity and frequency we will consume them. It is important to remember that this, along with the condition that the food is safe, will determine its long-term impact on our health.

Most of the misconceptions related to the concept of healthy food are also associated with the sources from which the food is procured, domestic preparation and processing, as well as the autochthony of the raw materials. In reality, some of these claims can be dangerous to health because those foods are often uncontrolled and of unknown origin, and the belief that domestic is the best is more in the domain of patriotism than health correctness.

On the other hand, the path from the field to the table must be as short as possible, which raises the issue of confirming authenticity. The belief that foreign products are polluted, industrially and genetically modified with a long way to reach the shelves also strongly influences the consumption of food of domestic origin. Nevertheless, transport and the length of the journey affect the loss of nutrients.

In the whole story about healthy food, the consumption of it should not be neglected. You see, simplifying things into so-called “healthy” and “unhealthy” foods can lead to serious consequences for our health. You can choose only “healthy” foods and still be overweight or obese. How is that so?

If you eat “healthy” foods in amounts that are not in balance with your energy needs, you will still have excess energy, which results in fat accumulation. And we all know that obesity is one of the main risk factors for various chronic diseases.

In addition, choosing only “healthy” foods that are advertised as such, without adequate variety in our diet, can lead to a lack of nutrients, which can impair our bodily functions and endanger our health.

The next time you find yourself grocery shopping, try asking yourself the following questions:

Is this a type of whole food or a highly processed product?
Favour whole foods grown, farmed or picked locally to ensure the best nutrient retention. Preferably with proof that it is of a controlled origin and safe.

Where and how is this type of food produced?
Does the production process involve high temperatures that can significantly reduce the product’s nutritional value?

What is the nutritional value of this food?
Check the list of ingredients on the product’s label. Pay attention to the nutrition label with a particular focus on the sugar, fat and salt percentage.

Healthy diet vs a balanced diet

When discussing the misinterpretation of the term healthy food, I would like to mention another term often used in oral and media circles: “healthy diet”. In nutrition science, the concept of a healthy diet does not actually exist; we are rather talking about a balanced diet.
A balanced diet is one that will provide us with all the necessary nutrients in the quantities we need for the proper functioning of the body, i.e. supporting health.

There is no ONE correct diet!

Each of us has different nutritional needs that change as we age and that must be adapted to various conditions, such as metabolic disorders and diseases. Establishing a balanced diet is much more complex than the term “healthy diet” indicates, and the best way to start better understanding the term balanced diet is precisely by understanding its three basic principles, which I’ve written about in this post.

I would like to hear what you think about these terms and their misinterpretation. How do you use them, and what do they represent for you?
If you have any questions or want to learn more about this or another closely related topic, write to me in the comment section below. I will be more than happy to help!