If you're a health-conscious person (and if you're reading this, you probably are!), you've likely been swayed into buying a product that says it's "natural" on the label. But do you know what "natural" really means?
Unfortunately, it doesn't mean a whole lot. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it's okay to label a product as "natural" as long as it doesn't contain artificial or synthetic substances, including artificial flavors or colors. But "natural" doesn't always mean healthy—deli meats, high in sodium and fat, can say they're "natural" because they don't include any man-made products. Sugar is also considered to be "natural," and we all know how unhealthy eating that in excess can be.
Meanwhile, some products may be labeled incorrectly. Ben and Jerry's is currently removing "all natural" from its labels because its products contain some artificial ingredients. What's the best solution for you as a consumer? Stick with a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins—the fewer packaged products you eat, the less you'll need to worry about what "natural" really means.
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