New food products are constantly hitting the shelves so every time you go to make a food purchase there is something new to look at. These foods are marketed with trendy terms to describe them and all too often blurry definitions and vague usage can lead to confusion. These phrases like natural, local, processed/unprocessed and organic often leaves consumers confused about making healthier choices when in reality they won't always make much of a difference to your diet.

Stick to the basics…

To simplify the process when it comes to making better food choices, start with the basics and stick with whole foods. Aim to shop for and consume a variety of colors. Start by filling half of your plate (or the center of your plate) with vegetables and fruits. Next, concentrate on incorporating about ¼ of your plate with whole grains and the last quarter with plant-based or lean protein. Healthy fat sources or monounsaturated fats like olive oil are the preferred option over other types such as saturated fats derived from meat.

Use your judgement…

Understand what the marketing terms mean. There is currently no formal definition for the use of “natural” as stated by USDA. However, "natural" claims have become common on new foods and beverages. In addition, the FDA has not engaged in establishing criteria for the term “natural” and considers it to mean that nothing artificial or synthetic has been included in a food that you may not normally expect it to be in.

The term “processed” is commonly perceived to be unhealthy, however, according to the USDA the term processed technically means that a food item has undergone a change of character. For example, roasted nuts or tofu would be considered processed as opposed to the raw forms of nuts or edamame.

Out of the popular food marketing terms, perhaps “organic” is the most confusing to the common consumer. As defined by the USDA, organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic plant foods are produced without using most conventional pesticides or fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients. However, if most non-organic foods were tested to meet such criteria, they would often qualify. Keep in mind, whether or not something is organic, the nutritional content of the food does not change.

Better for you…

UBS is committed to improving the health and well-being of our employees and a major component of that begins with food. By focusing on vegetables, fruits, quality protein sources and whole grains, you’ll have nourishing meals that are versatile and healthy. Sometimes it’s not so simple to assemble yourself. We understand that your days are busy and time is limited. So, to take the guesswork out when it comes to making informed food choices, we created a Better For You program, offering delicious, sustainable and healthy food that meets criteria based on federal dietary guidelines.

Our team of dietitians and chefs have worked together to curate a selection of balanced offerings. Each item has been assessed based on the type of fat in foods, sodium, sugar, and total calories. You can find Better For You ready-to-eat items in the hot and cold grab-and-go cases in our Weehawken and 1285 Avenue of the Americas cafes. Just look for the lotus symbol which designates Better For You options.