Honest Labels For Well-Known “Healthy” Food Options

Honest Labels

Food labeling is a very fishy business. Bright colors and straplines such as “no added fat” and “high in protein” really bring people in. Marketing campaigns designed to add awareness to brand name products, means we’re more than pleased to just grab and go when in need of a snack, all without a second thought. We trust what we’re told and most often remain oblivious to the rest of the nutritional data that’s usually buried away in the fine print.

It’s law in the UK to include all of the nutritional information on pre-packed food and the Gov.UK website states that “legislation sets requirements for food labels in the UK and aims to ensure food labels are an honest presentation of food. The requirements in place to ensure consistency for the industry and for consumers”. That said, tactical design and a vested interest in ensuring the product is as appealing as possible, means that often these details can quite easily be overlooked.

So, here we have a selection of well-known products that are specifically marketed as a healthier option and redesigned their labels to represent some of the less desirable traits they hold such as sugar content, which can have a tremendous impact on our day-to-day health and well being. Here are some very shocking findings below.

More info: amica-international.co.uk

 

Kellogg’s Fruit N’ Fibre

Kellogg's Fruit N' Fibre

One of Kellogg’s longest-serving cereals, Fruit ‘n Fibre has been on many breakfast tables over the years. And while it’s marketed as a high-fiber breakfast that helps to keep your digestive system healthy, with a recommended serving size of just 40g, it’s very easy to go overboard when it comes to portion control. Kellogg’s state that in each 40g portion, 9.6g of that is sugar, most of which is added… not something you want to overindulge in.

Tropicana Orange Juice

Tropicana Orange Juice

It’s stated that there’s no added sugar in Tropicana orange juice, which is great! However, as oranges are squeezed the natural sugars are released, meaning that one 250ml bottle of juice holds the equivalent of almost five teaspoons of sugar (22g). The recommended serving size of Tropicana Orange Juice is just 150ml, this means that by finishing a 250ml bottle in one sitting, you’re already overindulging. To add a little more perspective, one average-sized orange has approximately 8g to 9g of sugar, so a 250ml bottle would be like trying to eat three whole oranges in one go. The only difference being, three oranges would take longer to digest and your body would work harder to process the sugar. Moral of the story… choose the fruit rather than the juice!

Nestlé Milkybar

Nestlé Milkybar

Ok, so this one isn’t health food, we know, but it is marketed at children and is often considered to be the better choice when giving kids chocolate. But how so, remains a mystery. Yes, white chocolate has a higher milk content and less cocoa, but the sugar and fat levels are as high as ever. A standard 25g bar of Milkybar has a whopping 13.2g of sugar and 7.9g of fat. When compared to a Nestlé Crunch milk chocolate bar of the same weight, both the sugar and fat content are actually higher in a Milkybar (a Crunch bar has 12.6g of sugar and 6.4g of fat).

Bertolli Olive Spread

Bertolli Olive Spread

Ok, so we know you’re not going to eat a whole 25og tub of Bertolli Olive Spread, but when margarine and olive spreads are marketed as a healthy alternative to butter, it’s quite an eye-opening stat. An average recommended portion size is 10g, which in reality is barely enough for one slice of toast. That 10g serving has 59 calories when compared to butter which has on average 74 calories for the same size serving, it begs the question – is it really the healthier option? Add to this the list of additives, emulsifiers, preservatives and the fact that only 21% of the spread is actually made from the delicious Mediterranean olive oil they emphasize so well, it soon loses its appeal.

Walkers Sunbites

Walkers Sunbites

If you’re in need of a quick snack, Walkers Sunbites are marketed as a wholesome snack that’s filled with natural flavors. While this might be true, it’s worth pointing out that nutritionally the stats aren’t quite as positive as you might think. With 15.3g of carbs, 5.4g of fat and 120cal per 25g pack, there are definitely healthier snacks out there that pack a less damaging punch.

Müller Light Yogurt

Müller Light Yogurt

If you love yogurt but you don’t want the high levels of fat and sugar that often come with it, then the promise of 0% fat and no added sugar makes Müller Light extremely appealing. However, that doesn’t mean they’re without a solid dose of sugar. Much like orange juice, many of the variations contain fruit puree, and an average 160g Müller Light contains 10.5g of sugar because of it… that’s the equivalent of 2 teaspoons!

Weetabix Protein On The Go Breakfast Drink

Weetabix Protein On The Go Breakfast Drink

What could be better than your favorite breakfast cereal and lashings of milk all in one easy drink that you can consume on the bus as you trek to work? Add to that the promise of more protein to help keep you fuller for longer and you’re sold. However, what Weetabix don’t shout about is the level of sugar in each 275ml drink. With the equivalent of almost 3 teaspoons full of added sugar, breakfast on the go might not be a great idea after all.

Belvita Breakfast Biscuits

Belvita Breakfast Biscuits

With delicious golden oats and the promise of nutritious, sustained energy, the idea of eating biscuits for breakfast is a dream come true. But with that dream, reality follows. A single pack of four biscuits weighs in at a hefty 230 calories, roughly the same amount as a standard sized chocolate bar. And while they don’t contain the same levels of sugar like chocolate, they still contain almost two full teaspoons!

Nature Valley Salted Caramel Nut Protein Chewy Bar

Nature Valley Salted Caramel Nut Protein Chewy Bar

Another breakfast product that relies heavily on its protein content as the main focus. In reality, these cereal bars are high in calories, fats, and sugars – making it a rather unhealthy choice for breakfast. Each 40g bar contains a huge 12.3g of fat, which is almost 20% of your recommended daily allowance. Add to that a teaspoon full of sugar and the high protein levels pale into insignificance.

Danone Activia Yogurt And Granola Pot

Danone Activia Yogurt And Granola Pot

Yakult Yogurt Drink

Yakult Yogurt Drink

A 65ml shot of fermented milk with the strapline “A Little Bottle of Science”, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Yakult will somehow change your life if you add it to your daily routine. And while there is evidence to suggest it can aid digestion, it doesn’t detract from the fact that it also contains a hefty sprinkling of sugar too. In fact, one tiny bottle has a whopping 8.8g of sugar, making up 14% of each serving.

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