Many Americans try hard to eat a healthy diet. They wonder if they need "health" foods in order to achieve optimal nutritional status. Any food marketed in a way that it appears consuming it will improve one's health, may be considered a "Health" food. These foods include organically grown produce, "natural" grains and cereals, and many other products free of additives. Many of the health foods available on the market today are described as free of pesticides and/or preservatives. Others may be lower in fat, higher in fiber or fortified with select nutrients such as antioxidants. The health food market has become popular among baby boomers who are concerned about aging and the health problems which may accompany the aging process.

Do you need to consume health foods in order to reap the benefits of a nutritious diet? It is doubtful. If you eat a variety of foods, as outlined in the Food Guide Pyramid, and stay active, your nutritional health will be optimized. There is little data to suggest that organic foods are healthier. Certainly, the nutrient content is almost identical. The avoidance of pesticides may seem to reduce risk for chronic disease. The more critical question is, are you consuming the 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables recommended daily? If not, whether the ones you eat are organic or not is of little concern.

Health food is better defined as any food which contributes to overall improved health status rather than only those specially labeled as such. By this definition:
* fruits,
* vegetables,
* whole grains, beans and cereals,
* low fat dairy, and
* lean meats and poultry, would all be health foods.

On the other hand:
* candies,
* potato chips,
* Twinkies, and
* soda pop, would have a difficult time making the health food list.

Balance, variety and moderation should be the key to any healthy diet. Buying special "health" foods, while generally not harmful, will certainly add to the cost of your food budget.

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