Many processed or packaged foods make claims of possessing a special nutritional property, which is going to make you healthier. Of these, some brands highlight a nutritional property which exists naturally in that food and by clever or ambiguous writing on the packaging, make it sound like they should get the credit*. This is nothing but stealing the limelight from Mother Nature and here are some popular instances:
Examples of tag lines used on food packaging, which take the credit away from Mother Nature:
"New! SSS brand of tea. Rich in anti-oxidants!"
Tea, Camellia sinensis, in all its available varieties (white, green, black, oolong), is naturally rich in anti-oxidants (the antioxidant amount may vary as per the variety). Thus, no company should grab the privilege of implying that only its brand of tea contains or is rich in anti-oxidants.
"TZ brand of oats are rich in heart healthy soluble fiber"
All oats, whether grown in Australia, UK, USA, India, or any patch of soil across the globe, are naturally rich in the soluble fiber called beta-glucan, which is endowed with a cholesterol lowering effect.
"Protein rich YY brand of eggs"
Again, eggs, which ever color of shell they may possess (white, cream, grey, brown) come `protein rich' right out of the poultry in question, be it a hen, duck, geese, turkey, quail...
"Protein rich X brand of pulse, legume (e.g. dal, rajma, soya bean, broad beans, peas) and so on"
Pulses and legumes have been since ages, known to be rich vegetarian sources of protein.
" ZZZ brand of milk/yogurt/curd/paneer/cheese supplies you with your daily need of protein and calcium'
Once again, this is taking credit for foods which are naturally rich in protein and calcium, and making it sound like only a ZZZ brand of the same supplies you with protein and calcium.
" Q brand presents, low Glycemic Index (GI) brown rice"
Brown rice is partly milled rice, where only the outer most layer of a rice grain, called the husk, is removed. Whereas in white rice, two more layers are removed. Brown rice is thus fiber rich and fiber rich foods are by default, low GI foods. So once again, its not 'Q brand' but Mother Nature who has to be thanked.
There are many more instances, but you get the idea.
If you are picking up a food based on its health claim, try spending a few seconds practically (read: by not being distracted by memories of its attractive advertisement) analyzing the claim. If you cant decide or get confused, put it back on the shelf. You can always pick it up later. Whats the rush?
*does not include food brands which are fortified or enriched, or, brands with a bonafide and new health innovation in their product.
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