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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? 

April 10, 2023
By Rebecca Zissou
Read the Label
Watch a video to learn more about understanding nutritional labels.

You’re hungry for a quick bite. You open the fridge, searching 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. It’s responsible for protecting Americans’ health. It recently suggested changing the rules that say which foods can be labeled as “healthy.” 

For example, one new rule would be about cereal. It would say that a healthy cereal can’t have more than 2.5 grams of added sugars per serving. Many cereals today have more than four times that amount! 

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

Fueling Your Body

Many kids—and adults—aren’t getting the nutrients they need from their food. Why? Kids eat a lot of highly processed foods, like frozen pizzas. They can be packed with added ingredients, like sugar. But they’re usually lacking important ingredients, such as whole grains.

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

Behind the Changes

Right now, about one out of twenty packaged food products in stores have the label “healthy.” Companies can add that word to their products because they meet the government’s current rules. 

But the FDA says the current rules, which were made in 1994, need to be updated. One reason is that they don’t set limits on added sugars. Yet scientists know that too much sugar can lead to a disease called type 2 diabetes, tooth decay, and more. 

The FDA’s new rules would mean most sugary foods couldn’t be labeled “healthy” anymore.

What foods would still be considered healthy? Natural foods like nuts, beans, fruits, and veggies would be on the list. Whole grain pasta, eggs, and fish would qualify too. 

Balance It Out

Does all of this mean you have to give up cupcakes or potato chips forever? 

Wood says no. There’s nothing wrong with kids enjoying treats every now and then. Just be sure to eat healthier foods too. Veggies with hummus or yogurt topped with berries are just two examples.

“Focus on balance,” Wood says.

  1. According to the article, what are processed foods? What is an example?
  2. What is one reason the FDA wants to update its rules about what foods can be called “healthy”?
  3. Share two facts you can learn from the sidebar, “Read the Label.”
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