Today we are all considering our own healthy longevity. And food is a central part of and often the starting point for the conversation. The Center for Food as Medicine recently published a lengthy Food as Medicine Report. One particularly interesting section of the report is their “Attempt to Define the Terms ‘Healthy’ and ‘Unhealthy.’” It highlights that there is no universal agreement on these basic terms. As a result, this lack of clarity fuels confusion among consumers. It also hinders meaningful progress in healthcare, nutrition policy, and disease prevention. It’s time we make coming to terms a priority.
A Lack of Consensus
According to the report, “the definition of healthy varies widely depending on the context in which it is used.” While some definitions focus on the absence of disease, others emphasize nutrient density, lifestyle choices, or mental well-being. The consequences of this ambiguity are profound:
- Confusing Messaging: Food manufacturers market products as “healthy” based on selective criteria, often misleading consumers.
- Policy Stagnation: Without a clear benchmark, regulating bodies struggle to create unified guidelines.
- Healthcare Paralysis: The medical system, including nutritionists, may give specific but conflicting advice, leaving patients uncertain about the best course of action.
FDA’s Definition
In 1993, the Food and Drug Administration narrowly defined “healthy” foods by one main criteria, their fat content. That guidance was updated but not revised in 2016. The new paper was titled, “Use of the Term ‘Healthy’ in the Labeling of Human Food Products: Guidance for Industry.”
With that in mind, a 2018 study of 1,000 Americans revealed that 15% of the respondents believed, among many other things, that if a food was labeled as “healthy” they could eat as much of it as they wanted. The findings were detailed and very telling, The bottom line was that the term “healthy” needed to be clearly defined, and to do that more extensive consumer education was necessary.
Where Are We Now?
Today, the term “healthy” is still applied inconsistently across industries. Ultra-processed foods can bear “heart-healthy” labels based on isolated nutrient claims. Meanwhile, whole foods may lack any designation for the consumer. Additionally, personal health philosophies, ranging from calorie counting to only-organic diets (you can buy organic alcohol and chips), further blur the lines of what constitutes true well-being.
Where Are We Headed?
Based on the products on the shelves of our grocery stores, the American rate of obesity, and chronic health disease, not much has changed for the better. If we continue without a standardized definition, we risk deepening the divide between medical, nutritional, and holistic health perspectives. Consumers will remain confused, public health efforts will be diluted, and chronic disease rates will continue to rise. Our goal should be to establish a unified definition of health. Ideally one that accounts for both scientific evidence and real-world application. By doing so we open the door to:
- Clearer Guidelines: Consistent food labeling and education that empower consumers.
- Stronger Policies: Regulation that aligns with long-term health rather than marketing interests.
- Better Healthcare Outcomes: A shift from symptom management to true prevention and wellness.
The Bottom Line
It is true that we are all individuals. As such, there is uniqueness in what constitutes ultimate health for each of us. However, it is a fact that we cannot make meaningful progress in health and wellness if we cannot first define what it means to eat healthy and to be healthy. Whether we focus on whole foods, nutrient balance, lifestyle factors, or ideally a combination of these, we must align on the basics. Only then can we move forward in Making America Healthy Again, building a society where health is not just an abstract ideal but an attainable, universally understood goal.
If you’re ready to up your game when it comes to your health, find a 100 Year LifestyleⓇ provider near you. They can help you both define and create your ideal 100 Year LifestyleⓇ today!
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