Why “Gourmet” Doesn’t Mean Good for You (And What You Can Do About It)
When you think of “gourmet” foods, what comes to mind? High-end ingredients, hand-crafted recipes, perhaps a dash of luxury? These items are often marketed as the epitome of good taste and sophistication, but what if I told you that the term “gourmet” might not mean what you think it does?
Having spent time working at Dean & DeLuca, a renowned gourmet grocer known for its premium food offerings, I was able to get a firsthand look at what’s really behind the label. While it might seem like these foods are something special, I was dismayed to learn that many of them were nothing more than rebranded versions of mass-produced products—complete with the same big food ingredients and additives that you’d find in your average supermarket.
The Truth About "Gourmet" Foods
When we think of gourmet, we often imagine fresh, artisanal products made with top-tier ingredients. But the reality is far less glamorous. Many gourmet food brands focus on the look and feel of their packaging and the appeal of their upscale branding rather than the integrity of the ingredients. This is a key reason why, despite the fancy labels and high price tags, these “gourmet” foods often contain the same harmful ingredients we’re trying to avoid: refined oils, added sugars, preservatives, and artificial flavorings.
Take, for example, some of the sauces, spreads, or packaged snacks that flood the shelves of so-called gourmet stores. While they may come in beautiful glass jars with elegant labels, many of these products still rely on cheap, low-quality ingredients—things like soybean oil, high-fructose corn syrup, and preservatives—to keep costs low and ensure long shelf-life. These ingredients don’t do your body any favors. In fact, they can have a lasting negative impact on your health, leading to inflammation, digestive issues, and hormone imbalances.
The Cost of Convenience
The food industry often emphasizes convenience, and the gourmet sector is no different. While some of these “gourmet” items might be more carefully crafted than others, many are still designed with the same efficiency-based goals as mass-produced foods. The truth is, much of what’s marketed as “gourmet” isn’t truly artisanal or made with wholesome, nutrient-dense ingredients. Instead, it’s just re-packaged, over-processed food designed to look good and taste good, but often without regard for your health.
I was particularly disheartened when I saw that even some of the “gourmet” items at Dean & DeLuca were made with these same cheap ingredients. The fancy brand labels and beautiful displays didn’t change the fact that the food inside was not as good for you as it was made out to be. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but it opened my eyes to the real issue with the modern food system: marketing and packaging too often overshadow quality.
The Birth of Deliciously: A New Way to Look at Food
This realization was a turning point for me. I knew there had to be a better way to offer consumers high-quality, nourishing food without the marketing gimmicks and unhealthy additives. That’s why I founded Deliciously, a brand built on the principle that food should be clean, nourishing, and crafted with integrity. At Deliciously, we don’t rely on fancy labels to tell you what’s inside—we focus on providing food that you can trust, every single time.
We take great care to source only the highest-quality ingredients, ensuring that everything we offer is free from harmful additives, GMOs, artificial ingredients, and preservatives. Our goal is simple: to offer food that supports your wellness, helps you feel your best, and—most importantly—taste amazing, all without compromising on what matters most: your health.
What Does Clean Food Really Mean?
Clean food isn’t just a trend—it’s a movement toward transparency and integrity. At Deliciously, clean food means using real, whole ingredients that are free from chemicals, fillers, and anything that could detract from the natural benefits of the food itself. We’re committed to offering high-protein, nutrient-dense foods that are crafted for your well-being. From functional non-alcoholic beverages to our collagen-enhanced marshmallows, every product we offer is designed to nourish your body and support a balanced lifestyle.
We don’t believe in the kind of marketing that tries to sell you a product based on how fancy it looks or how luxurious the packaging is. Instead, we focus on the food itself—what’s inside, how it’s made, and why it’s better for you. We want you to enjoy real food that not only tastes good but does good for your body, too.
The Takeaway: Don’t Buy Into the Hype
Next time you’re tempted by the high-end foods with flashy labels, take a moment to read the ingredients list. You might be surprised by what you find. Just because a product is marketed as “gourmet” doesn’t mean it’s made with the quality and care you deserve.
At Deliciously, we’re redefining what “gourmet” should mean. To us, it’s not about the packaging—it’s about the ingredients, the quality, and the integrity behind every product. Gourmet doesn’t have to mean processed, and luxury shouldn’t come at the expense of your health. It’s time to demand more from the food you buy, and we’re here to give it to you.
Say goodbye to marketing gimmicks, and say hello to food that’s as nourishing as it is delicious.
By sharing the real story behind my journey and the founding of Deliciously, I hope to inspire others to look beyond the labels and demand food that’s genuinely good for them—no matter the price tag or packaging. Your health deserves nothing less.