Myth #15: All Natural Is All Good

We see them everywhere -- "all-natural" labels that come with a subconscious promise of good health, long life, and a cancer-free existence. They are such an effective marketing strategy, in fact, that few people even bother to check the actual content of their favorite canned dessert that is literally bursting with "natural" preservatives.

Let's not allow complacency, or should I say just plain laziness, to lull us into entrusting our health to food manufacturers, reputable or otherwise. What makes a certain food good to eat is a lot more complicated than its being organically grown, hand-picked or sun-dried.

In the same sense, not all products that are artificially engineered to provide optimal quantities or sizes are bad for you, though you should be more wary of these. The next time you go to the supermarket, spend a little more time reading the label, and I mean the one that contains the calories per serving. The percentage of the recommended daily allowance, or RDA, of each additive should be there in plain sight.

Remember, salt, fats, and sugar are all-natural ingredients, too. Don't be fooled by the cover. Stay tuned.