Do not be fooled by these three foods that appear healthy
but may not always be beneficial for us.
Breakfast cereals
Australian consumer organisation Choice found that some of
the best-loved cereals may not be as healthy as you will expect.
Depending on where you are, there may be guides on the pack
giving you a quick way to see how nutritious a product is. These will usually
take into account ‘good’ things like protein and fibre. But it will not tell
you how natural or unrefined the ingredients are, whether the product contains
artificial preservatives, colours and flavours, or how processed the product
is.
“Highly processed breakfast cereals often have fibre and
protein added to increase their health rating,” says accredited practising
dietitian and Choice food expert Shadia Djakovic.
“Rolled oats have a high rating due to their
naturally-occurring fibre content. But they have only one ingredient – oats –
which means they have a higher rating without the need for any added nutrients
to make them healthier.
“Look at the shape and colour, does it look like a natural
product?” says Djakovic. “If it is far from natural-looking, chances are it is
highly processed and needs things like salt and sugar to make it taste good.”
Salads
Watch out for salads, warns accredited practising dietitian
Melissa Meier in body&soul. We think of them as a healthy option but
they are not always the best thing on the menu, she says.
Salads contain vegetables, but may come loaded with refined
carbohydrates and processed meats, says Meier. And store-bought dressings often
contain way too much sodium (which may increase blood pressure), with some also
high in added sugar and saturated fat.
The best bet is to make your own dressing, says Meier, with
good quality oil such as extra virgin olive oil, a splash of vinegar or citrus
juice, and some flavour in the form of mustard, pepper and dried herbs and
spices.
Protein bars
Protein bars are promoted as a healthy snack to fill the
protein gap in our diets and help build muscle.
But most people do not need extra protein as they get enough
through their diet, says Dietitians Australia. For those who do need more,
foods naturally high in protein like eggs, fish, yoghurt, nuts, tofu and beans
are good choices as they also add nutrients.
Protein bars vary significantly in quality, so it pays to
read labels. Many are full of sugar, salt, artificial sweeteners and colours,
and oils and thickeners that add kilojoules without making you healthier.