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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

The Truth About Food Marketing


What is marketing? According to wikipedia, marketing is the process by which companies create customer interest in products or services. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business development.The adoption of marketing strategies requires businesses to shift their focus from production to the perceived needs and wants of their customers as the means of staying profitable. Long definition but I broke it up as best I could. Essentially marketing is created to make you think you need something. Food marketing is created to make you think you need certain foods.

The current strategy in food marketing is based on the business of families. Most commercials ask how can you possibly get all your nutrients when you're on the go? Same way you pick up a bag of chips, you can easily get a bag of fruit. These marketing companies don't want you to know that time actually exists. When you're watching TV or doing whatever you do after work, you can take that time to cook. In the time it takes for your food to get here in the evening, you could already have a quick meal cooked up.

The other strategy in food marketing is weight loss. There are so many low fat or non fat foods, "diet" foods etc and all of these are processed. Let's get something straight "processed food" is not food. If you have to pull out a scientific text book to read all of the ingredients, put it down. Low Carb, no carb, low calorie or whatever the new fad is, there's only one true way to weight loss: eat more real food. This includes fruits, vegetables, real meat, etc. If it comes in a box that says: add water or instant. Leave it alone. Also know that cheap isn't better. Although you may be able to get a sub, chips, and a drink for $8, know that you can buy bread, a bag of chips or veggies, ground beef, drinks, and bread for $10 but eat for about a week. You have to calculate the real costs.

Another cost you have to take into consideration is your health. When you eat alot of processed and fatty foods, you're losing out on essential nutrients and this causes and array of health problems. Also take into consideration that just because the FDA approves something, doesn't mean that you should partake in it. Aspartame was rejected 5 times by the FDA before becoming approved. It's well known to cause cancer in animals. High fructose corn syrup contains mercury which has many side effects. And the added vitamin E, tocopheryl acetate, is linked to cancer and the list goes on and on.


In short, understand the food business is a business. They are there to see their product and make money. They couldn't care less about you so be smart and protect yourself.

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