How fear influences our food choices

Decisions, Decisions
How fear influences our food choices

Should we eat butter? What about red meat, dairy products, aspartame and high fructose corn syrup? With diet trends and new studies popping up every day there is plenty information about healthy choices, but how exactly do Americans make decisions about what foods to avoid?

Cornell University Food and Brand Lab conducted a phone survey of about 1,000 mothers to learn who was most likely to fear certain foods, why this happens and what can be done to better educate people about food. The moms were asked what they thought about high fructose corn syrup and researchers found that those who avoided the product were:

• More likely to receive their information from the Internet than TV
• More likely to want others to know about their choices
• Not willing to pay more for foods that had regular sugar compared to those who did not avoid high fructose corn syrup
• Less concerned about high fructose corn syrup being in food they considered unhealthy

Researchers also asked study participants about Stevia, a zero-calorie, natural sweetener. Half of the participants read background about the product while the other half received no information. Those who received information perceived Stevia as healthier than those who did not.

“It’s important to be educated about the food that we are eating for a healthy life,” says Dr. Allen Mikhail, a bariatric surgeon at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Ill. “I tell my patients to eat a balanced diet and to eat fresh food without lots of added ingredients. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats like nuts and seeds.”

It can be challenging to determine if a food is actually healthy or just another product labeled “healthy” by the manufacturer.

“The biggest problem is the health claims that food companies make with unclear definitions, which just leads to confusion. The best thing to do is ignore the health claims on the package because they may not tell you the whole story,” says Michelle Remkus, a registered dietician at the Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center in Downers Grove, Ill.

Remkus says that if you are confused on what foods to avoid and what foods to eat, talking with a registered dietitian can be helpful.

“Registered Dietitians are food and nutrition experts who can help you decipher what claims are true and which ones are false,” she says.