Bloom has implemented the “Guiding Stars” program, an easy system to help you make healthier choices at the grocery store.
Food items, (with the exception of bottled waters, dried spices, coffees and teas), are rated with either one, two, or three stars that are easily visible on the shelf tag.
The guiding stars help customers identify foods that have:
more vitamins, minerals, fiber, and whole grains
and less saturated fat, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugars.
Items that do not have any stars on the shelf tag do not meet this criteria.
The criteria seems a little vague to me but I still think it is a great idea. So many times I have heard people say they don’t know how to make healthier choices, so here is a very user-friendly option. No stars on the shelf tag? Don’t put it in the cart!
I’m very curious to see how some items are labeled, so I plan to visit Bloom this week to check it out myself. For example, how does diet soda rate? What about low fat items vs. fat free items? Do they consider one better than the other? Do Pop-Tarts generate any stars? I’ll keep you posted on my findings.
What about you, have you seen anything like this in your local grocery store? Do you think the stars system would influence what you buy?
{ 9 comments }
NOTHING like that in Cal. that I’ve heard about. Don’t really need it though. Might be good for people who are still learning about healthful eating.
I have a new fav snack. You might think it’s gross- ff greek yogurt w/ flavor plus cottage cheese, blueberries and walnuts. Yummy!
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I think it would help. It is just like restaurants that put the little chili symbol next to spicy items on a menu. I can always tell quickly that an item is considered spicy when I see the chili symbol.
asithis last blog post..Wax on, Wax off – Wax on Fruits and Vegetables
Nothing here like that…good idea!
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I think it’s a good way to get those who may not be in tune to buying healthy or reading labels to at least start thinking about it. Also like the healthy fare on menus that they use. I think that helps some people decide on what to eat when going out. Let us know what the labels are versus the stars, that would be really interesting to see!
This is so awesome and PERFECT timing.
I’m just beginning a research project for my investigative journalism class in which I’m investigating the various health symbol programs (eg. Heart Smart, Sensible Solutions, Blue Menu, Smart Selections) to look at if these companies are actually promoting healthy eating or if they’re endangering our health.
I’m so excited that you posted about this. I will definitely have to look into it and see if I can use it as another example for my project. Thanks!
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I remember in college when I was first getting into nutrition, shopping at a WIC-friendly stoe. PB, skim milk and more were all ‘WIC-approved’ so i figured they were good nutritional bang for your buck. don’t know if it’s the same now…
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I like how Asithi puts it; it’s a good, quick reference guide like the little chili pepper. Or a carrot next to vegetarian items on a menu.
I have not seen anything like that around here, but I think it could really help people who WANT to be helped. Every little bit counts – glad Bloom is trying!
FatFighters last blog post..Treeswing: Making a Healthy Difference
I haven’t seen anything new around here but maybe in my small town we could get something going!
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