A diet expert has issued a warning about seemingly healthy foods that can actually do “more harm than good”.
Dr Michael Mosley , the author of several diet books, regularly shares advice with his followers on his Fast 800 blog, and recently alerted people to be wary of some foods that are advertised as a ‘healthy choice’.
With more and more food items claiming to be low in fat, or free from “unhealthy” ingredients, you’d be forgiven for taking these marketing promises at face value, but according to the doctor, a large amount of these foods don’t contain all the goodness we think they do.
He wrote: “In a world full of food manufacturers, with clever marketing and a lack of science behind their claims, it can often become confusing to know exactly which foods are healthy when you’re navigating the supermarket.
“With huge signs at the end of each aisle, telling you exactly why the latest products will turn your health around, it’s easy to fall into their well-set traps and spend a fortune on ‘healthy’ foods that are not so healthy.”
To help you navigate the world of healthy eating, Dr Mosley has shared four foods that he believes aren’t worth parting with your cash for – despite being marketed as healthier alternatives.
First up – vegetable crisps. According to Dr Mosley, these thin slices of veggies aren’t big enough to provide any real nutritional value and aren’t really any healthier than those ones made with potatoes, due to the amount of sunflower oil they’re fried in. As an alternative, the health guru recommends opting for raw vegetables, nuts, seeds, or gut-boosting sauerkraut and kimchi.
Another thing he warns against are products sold as ‘low-fat alternatives’. In recent years, scientific research has provided new evidence that recognises the health benefits of full-fat foods. Dr Mosley states that low-fat items are often stripped of their nutrients and crammed with sugar and additives to make up for the flavour loss by making them fat-free. This can actually lead to blood sugar spikes, causing further cravings.
Dr Mosley explained: “A study, carried out by researchers at Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute, tracked the diets of 20,000 women over a period of 20 years. The study found links between the consumption of full-fat dairy products (milk and cheese) and weight loss. Over a ten-year period, the women who regularly consumed full-fat milk saw a lower BMI.”
Next up, porridge in sachets where you ‘just add water’. According to the doctor, one bowl of instant oatmeal can have up to three spoonfuls of sugar, with some brands containing a staggering 16g per serving.
And finally, bottled salad dressings. While salads may be a great way to help you achieve your health goals, they “have a significant amount of calories per serving”, and not many people actually stick to the recommended serving suggestion.
The expert said: “They’re also packed with additives, to extend their shelf life, thickeners, hidden and other nasties that simply don’t belong in your cupboard!” As an alternative, he recommends making your own with equal parts olive oil to balsamic vinegar or lemon juice.
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