What would you endorse?
As a nutrition professional with over 20 years experience, I have a love/hate relationship with the food industry. I love to try new products and even endorse them, but only if it's something I'd serve my family or suggest to a client without reservation. It's fun and exciting to be contacted by a TV station or local reporter to be interviewed. But what I don't like is being asked to endorse a product (or food) I don't believe in.Recently, a PR company (whom shall remain nameless) contacted me to be on a local station to highlight the benefits of meatless meals (given Lent and National Nutrition Month). The product was one of my favorites- sweet potatoes. Sounds harmless and likely "Nutrigirlapproved", as I like to say. Unfortunately, the recipe chosen for the segment was total food porn. How was I supposed to endorse the product when the recipe contained cream cheese, butter, heavy cream, brown sugar and maple syrup? This was no longer a sweet potato- it was a Cinnabon disguised as "health food". I offered to highlight a healthy recipe, but was rebuffed, so declined the TV spot. I didn't feel my integrity was worth it!After I ranted to a close friend of mine about the situation, she suggested I come up with criteria for product endorsement (should the opportunity arise again). Here is what I believe in (in no particular sequence):1. Minimally processed- ingredients that I know and would eat without reservation.2. Relatively low fat, low sugar, low sodium and not ridiculously high in calories.3. Made or grown in the US.4. Does not offer outlandish claims about their product.5. Affordable to most families.6. Organic ingredients (non-GMO) if possible.7. Improves the quality of your diet and is not just "fluff".8. Tastes good!9. Available to most people and not sold exclusively.10. Would be proud to stamp "Nutrigirlapproved" without reservation.And finally- is not a conflict of interest. For example, I have met MDs, chiropractors and personal trainers that will claim a person has a particular deficiency and "by they way, I sell this product to fix your problem". I find this unethical and sad that we are not putting our clients first. That's my 2 cents the issue. What would you endorse and why?