Key facts
- Pre-packaged smoothies are high in sugar due to broken-down fruit cell structures.
- Fruit yogurts can contain added starches, gelatins, and sugars.
- Many protein bars are highly processed and comparable to chocolate bars in calories.
- Vegetable crisps can be high in fat and salt due to frying or baking in oil.
- Fruit juices lack fiber and are considered 'free sugars,' contributing to high sugar intake.
- Granola is often coated in oil and syrups, making it calorie-dense.
- Cereal bars can be ultra-processed and high in sugar, even those claiming no added sugar.
Many food products marketed as healthy snacks in supermarkets can be misleading due to a 'health halo' effect, where a single positive attribute like 'organic' or 'plant-based' leads consumers to assume the entire product is healthy. This article details several common snack categories that often fall short of their healthy image. Pre-packaged smoothies, while seemingly a good source of fruit, are concentrated in 'free sugars' because the blending process breaks down the fruit's cellular structure. The recommendation is to eat whole fruit instead. Fruit yogurts, particularly low-fat versions, may contain added starches, gelatins, and sugars to improve texture. Protein bars, often marketed for fitness, can be nutritionally similar to chocolate bars, using sugar alcohols that may cause digestive issues and relying on highly processed protein isolates. Some popular bars have calorie counts comparable to a Snickers. Vegetable crisps, despite their name, are often deep-fried or baked in oil, potentially leading to higher fat and salt content than potato crisps. Fruit juices are also flagged for lacking fiber and containing 'free sugars,' which can spike blood sugar levels and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes over time. Granola, while containing nuts and seeds, is typically coated in oil and syrups like honey or maple syrup and baked, making it calorie-dense, especially when consumed in larger-than-recommended serving sizes. Cereal bars, often sold as convenient breakfast options, can be ultra-processed and high in sugar, sometimes using fruit juice concentrates or syrups as sweeteners. Some contain high Glycemic Index ingredients or chocolate coatings, making them more of an occasional treat than a regular meal substitute.