We all know that sugary biscuits, cakes and cookies aren’t doing us any favours.
But what about the unhealthy foods that are marketed to you as “good-for-you” alternatives?
Yep, in the world of Big Food, companies often like to hinge on one “healthy” selling point and completely ignore the rest of the ingredients. And when you look at the bigger picture, it’s not a pretty one! Check out these examples – did they have you fooled?
(Find out about the foods you could be eating on our I Quit Sugar: 8-Week Program!)
1. Margarine.
What they say: Lower in fat than butter!
The truth: Margarine is lower in fat, but that doesn’t make it better (or butter). The spread is made from highly processed vegetable oils, which are chemically extracted, deodorised, bleached and flavoured before they hit your plate. Mmmmm.
In countries other than Australia, marge even contains artificial trans fats, which new research has suggested may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. With its slimy texture and fluoro yellow hue, we can definitely believe it’s not butter. Now someone take this impostor away!
2. Dried fruit.
What they say: A healthy snack that’s full of fibre.
The truth: Sadly, dried fruit is little more than a super concentrated source of sugar. Did you know that dates are up to 60 per cent sugar? In addition to preservatives and vegetable oils added during the preservation process, drying fruit also removes much of the water content, making the fibre harder to digest (ever get a tummy ache after too many dried apricots?). We stick to one or two pieces of low-fructose whole fruits to get the real health benefits.
3. Diet soda.
What they say: The taste of your favourite pop, without the sugar.
The truth: Artificially sweetened varieties are just as harmful for your health. Numerous studies have shown how diet drinks can muck up your gut, contribute to type 2 diabetes, lead to weight gain and make it harder to give up the real stuff. If you’re bored with H2O, here are 12 hacks to help you get your hydration hit.
4. Low-fat strawberry yoghurt.
What they say: Low in fat and full of fruit – it’s got to be great for you!
The truth: Low-fat fruit-flavoured yoghurt is pumped with sugar to make up for the flavour that is lost when they remove the fat. It also lacks that satiating feeling that the full-fat versions have, leaving you reaching for more. Choosing full-fat versions like Greek yoghurt can help curb cravings, fill you up and actually lose weight!
5. Store-bought dressings and sauces.
What they say: Contains a serve of vegetables!
The truth: With massive doses of sugar, artificial ingredients and unrecognisable numbers, it’s little wonder we prefer to skip supermarket staples like tomato and barbeque sauce, and JERF instead. Stir-through or quick-heat pasta sauces can also be just as bad.
Stir-through or quick-heat pasta sauces can also be just as bad. A 500g jar of Dolmio Bolognese sauce contains more than nine teaspoons of sugar! Even Mars Food admitted that Dolmio sauces shouldn’t be consumed more than once a week. Whip up a batch of one of our sugar-free condiments instead.
6. Apple juice.
What they say: A great source of vitamins.
The truth: Unlike the whole fruit, which provides a host of nutrients and extra fibre to slow down the absorption of sugar, fruit juices (even the no added sugar types) are simply a concentrated source of sugar. Apple juice is one of the worst offenders: a small bottle can contain as much sugar as a can of Coke!
We originally published this article in February 2016. We updated it in July2016.
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