Read here how you can assess the quality of your food yourself.
What does “quality” mean when it comes to food? Is a premium brand automatically better than a store brand? Do freshness, price, or production methods affect quality? The answer is not straightforward. For your body, is power supply of high quality that most effectively nourishes and provides essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and moisture. The quality of this depends on factors such as freshness, processing, and production methods.
What do claims on labels say about quality?
Terms such as “artisanal,” “healthy,” “natural,” “grandmother’s recipe” Phrases like “updated composition” or “updated composition” often appear on labels. Although appealing, these words say nothing about the actual quality of the product. They are not protected and can be freely used by manufacturers as a marketing strategy. So, do not be misled by claims, but look at the actual composition and nutritional value. Use your common sense here as well. If a food product tastes sweet, chances are it contains sugars. If the label states 0 % fat, this is correct, but you are consuming too much of another nutrient.
Additives and shelf life
In a society where food is produced for large groups, additives such as E numbers, salt, and sugar are often necessary to extend product shelf life. Although additives sometimes raise suspicion, under strict conditions they are safe and intended to preserve quality and taste. It is important to vary between fresh and processed foods to find a healthy balance. The advice we give to our members is: try to consume as much food as possible that is unprocessed, fresh, and does not come from jars, bags, etc.
Quality marks: reliable or misleading?
Many quality marks are private initiatives and are not regulated by law. They are permitted as long as they are not misleading, but government oversight is often lacking. Some quality marks, such as those assessed by Milieu Centraal and the Voedingscentrum, score highly on transparency, the environment, animal welfare, and social aspects. However, not every quality mark is reliable. Be critical and find out exactly what the quality mark means.
You can read more about this on the website of the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
Organic: a logical choice?
Organic food generally contains fewer pesticide residues and sometimes less nitrate than conventional products, but it has not been proven to be healthier. Both conventional and organic products meet strict safety requirements. Choosing organic can be a conscious choice, but the added value depends on your personal preferences.
Freshness and preparation
The fresher the product, the better the nutrients are preserved. The preparation method also plays a major role; some methods retain nutrients better, while others actually cause loss. It is therefore important not only to pay attention to freshness, but also to cook/prepare consciously.
Choose wisely and vary
To ensure the quality of your food, can you learn to recognize these. Choose fresh products, avoid excessive processing and additives, and read labels carefully. Variety in your diet is essential for optimal health. If we hear from a member that they find this difficult, we give them this tip. Use the colors of the food and choose a different color every day. For example, today we are eating broccoli as a vegetable. Broccoli is green, so tomorrow you could choose carrots (orange), and the day after that endive (white), etc. You can also apply this to meat, but also consider the animal it comes from.
Assignment
Visit the supermarket and choose two similar products, one of which has a health claim and the other does not. Compare the ingredient list and nutritional values. Next, if it concerns a processed product, check if you can choose a fresh variant instead. Then investigate what difference this adjustment makes in quality and make an informed choice.
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