Food: Not Always What It Seems

Recently I traveled on business to a city on the East Coast with a reputation for having one of the highest crime rates in the U.S. Before I left, I asked a few colleagues who had been there whether I should be concerned for my safety.

Most told me how awful they thought the city was and how sorry they were that I had to spend part of my week there. Despite my preconceptions, I actually had a great time! The people were friendly and accommodating, the neighborhoods mostly clean, and I never once feared for my safety. I guess it was all in the marketing.

What does this have to do with food and good nutrition? Well, food sometimes gets a similarly bad rap - healthy items are often labeled "tasteless and bland," high-fiber foods "grainy," and fortified foods "medicinal" or "metallic." Is this true?

In some instances, a food's reputation matches reality. But all too often we ignore healthier choices because of perceptions that others have provided and not based on our own experience eating them. Have your preconceptions made you miss out on some of the best things life has to offer? What is grainy to me may be undetectable to you.

The next time you judge a food item by its wrapper or its reputation, consider that this unknown healthy food item could be something you'd really enjoy. Take a moment and find out for yourself.