---
title: What is a “Healthy” Food? The Answer Will Surprise You
description: What does “healthy” food mean to you? Is it raw? Plant based? Low fat? Low sugar? “Clean?” The answer could be different for everyone—and according to Inte
---

[Health Coaching Blog and News | Institute for Integrative Nutrition ](https://www.integrativenutrition.com/blog)

# [What is a “Healthy” Food? The Answer Will Surprise You](https://www.integrativenutrition.com/blog/2016/07/what-is-a-healthy-food-the-answer-will-surprise-you)

 Written by [Integrative Nutrition](https://www.integrativenutrition.com/blog/author/integrative-nutrition) | Jun 8, 2024 2:56:50 PM

What does “healthy” food mean to you? Is it raw? Plant based? Low fat? Low sugar? “Clean?” The answer could be different for everyone—and according to Integrative Nutrition’s core [concept of bio-individuality](https://www.integrativenutrition.com/blog/2015/07/joshua-rosenthal-s-bio-individuality-is-scientifically-proven), it wouldn’t be wrong either.

For the Food and Drug Administration, a “healthy” label means, in general, a food that’s low in fat, [NPR reported](http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/05/10/477514200/why-the-fda-is-reevaluating-the-nutty-definition-of-healthy-food) back in May. However, the organization will be reviewing these standards after a [citizen petition](https://s3.amazonaws.com/kind-docs/citizen-petition.pdf) was [launched by KIND](https://www.kindsnacks.com/blog/post/a-letter-to-our-fans-kind-and-nutrition-policy-sparking-a-healthy-discussion/,), the company that produces KIND bars, stating that food high in fat isn’t always unhealthy.

Through research, we now know that higher-fat foods, like [nuts](https://www.integrativenutrition.com/blog/2015/06/a-health-nut-s-guide-to-nuts), [avocado](https://www.integrativenutrition.com/blog/2015/08/5-healthy-foods-you-need-to-focus), and [certain oils](https://www.integrativenutrition.com/blog/2014/08/iin-expert-advice-avocado-oil-vs-coconut-oil), aren’t necessarily unhealthy when consumed in moderation. But we also know, thanks to a [recent poll](http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/07/05/upshot/is-sushi-healthy-what-about-granola-where-americans-and-nutritionists-disagree.html?_r=0) reported by* The New York Times,** *****the American public—even the experts—aren’t on the same page when it comes to what is and isn’t healthy.**

The newspaper worked with polling group *The Morning Consult* to find out which foods consumers consider healthy versus the responses of more than 600 nutritionists associated with the [American Society for Nutrition](http://www.nutrition.org).

### **In an extensive story published earlier this month, the *Times*  showed a shocking discrepancy in opinion.**

For instance, 71% of the public interviewed considered a granola bar to be a healthy snack, while only 28% of nutritionists agreed. On the other hand, 90% of nutritionists gave their approval of hummus, compared to only 66% of the public. The inconsistency here is understandable from a nutritionist’s perspective—a granola bar often contains a large amount of added sugars that the average consumer may be unaware of, an issue of misinformation the FDA is hoping to remedy [through new nutrition labels](https://www.integrativenutrition.com/blog/2016/05/what-the-new-nutrition-fact-labels-mean-for-you) that require added sugars to be listed. And hummus, a traditional Middle Eastern chickpea and tahini-based spread that’s rich in protein, only gained popularity in the United States in the last five years or so, [the *Washington Post* reported](http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323798104578453174022015956). 

Interestingly enough, even the nutritionists couldn’t agree on the health status of certain foods, including cheddar cheese and popcorn, which where approved by only 57% and 61%, respectively.

The takeaway?

**This article shed light on how different the concept of eating healthy is to each person, even experts in nutrition.** As Health Coaches, our job is to help our clients find the way of eating that makes them feel satisfied and energetic, whether that means a vegan diet, a [Mediterranean diet](https://www.integrativenutrition.com/blog/2014/12/can-the-mediterranean-diet-help-you-live-longer), or a little of everything in moderation. 

This is why [Integrative Nutrition](https://www.integrativenutrition.com/curriculum) stands by its teaching that all bodies are unique, and there’s no one size fits all diet. 

[Read the full New York Times article here.](http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/07/05/upshot/is-sushi-healthy-what-about-granola-where-americans-and-nutritionists-disagree.html?_r=0)

**How do you define a “healthy” food?** Share in the comments below!

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