Have you heard of health halos? It’s a term we use to describe food and drinks that appear healthier than they really are. It’s what happens when are looking at the health claims, imagery, colour palette and price of a product rather than the nutrition information panel.
Take Heinz’s new Cauliflower Fries for instance. The use of the colour blue, the leaf background and the snips of green herbs scattered across the chips makes it feel like a light alternative to normal potato fries. Likewise, the use of the word “cauliflower”, the phrase “vegetarian friendly” and a higher price point evoke a sense of “health” and “quality”.
Let’s dive a little deeper and compare the nutrition information with McCain Superfries Straight Cut. Per 100g, the products contain comparable amounts of protein and carbohydrates. However, the Cauliflower Fries contain more energy which can impact weight loss efforts. It also contains more than 6 times the amount of salt which can increase your blood pressure in the long term.
Looking at the ingredient list is also important. Ingredients are listed in “weight descending order”, meaning the ingredients used in the highest amounts always appear first. You can see that the cauliflower fries still contain a significant proportion of potato (don’t get us wrong, potatoes are still good for you!). It also contains a number of additives to help create the finished product, however we know that large ingredient lists are reflective of “ultra-processed” products and have been linked with chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes.
Heinz Cauliflower Fries
Cauliflower (43%), Potato, Potato Flakes, Wheat Flour, Onion, Sunflower Oil, Maize Starch, Salt, Emulsifier (461), Sugar, Citrus Fibre, Dried Glucose Syrup (Wheat), Raising Agent (500), Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, White Pepper, Yeast.
McCain Superfries Straight Cut
Potato, Canola Oil, Dextrose (from Maize)
This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t buy these types of products, as all foods can fit into a healthy diet and lifestyle. However, it is important to take an objective approach when selecting food items and not be persuaded by their visual packaging.
Here at MAEC we’re passionate about equipping our clients with the skills to make informed nutrition choices. If you’d like to learn more, please see one of our Accredited Practising Dietitians.