Marketing departments for food manufacturers can be quite creative. They market their products or recipes as healthy, but it’s not until you get into the nitty-gritty of those ingredients do you realise that the product is not as healthy as you might have thought.

So, if you’re trying to make healthier food choices, such as drinking less wine or eating fresh produce, then read on. Here are some foods that you may think are healthy, but aren’t as good as you thought.

Multi-Grain Bread

It’s true that multi-grain bread is probably a better option than plain white, but that doesn’t mean it’s the healthiest option available. In fact, it probably looks healthier than it actually is.

Many multi-grain bread varieties contain unbleached, enriched wheat flour. The enriched process can mean the manufacturer has removed nutrients from the grains during processing, then added them at the end.

Instead, opt for whole wheat or dark rye varieties, which tend to have less processing and more nutrients than their white counterparts.

Reduced-Fat Peanut Butter

You might think you’re doing your body a favour by purchasing reduced-fat peanut butter over its full-fat counterpart. Marketing companies are well and truly making their money in this respect. While you may see a reduction in fat, that’s not to say they haven’t made use of fillers and sugar to avoid losing flavour and substance.

Pay attention to the fine print when viewing the different peanut butter types in the supermarket. Alternatively, you can have a go at making your own. The internet is full of nut butter recipes.

Yoghurt

TV marketing tells us that yoghurt is naturally high in probiotics, which can make it a premium food type for gut health. It’s true that some yoghurt does have good bacteria and is good for you – but not all of them are.

Many yoghurts for sale are full of sugar and colours to appeal to children. The sugar can also make them sweet rather than sour, which is a preference for many people. If you prefer sweet yoghurt, purchase a plain, low-fat Greek yoghurt variety and add your own sweetness – such as with bananas or berries.

Energy Bars

You might think you’re doing the right thing by your body by buying energy bars instead of chocolate bars, but this food type is not always as innocent as it seems. Many energy bars contain a lot of sugar and calories, making them more suitable for people going on hikes than carrying out their everyday business.

Instead of energy bars, make your own energy slices at home with nuts, seeds, and a bit of honey to bind them together. They can be equally as delicious, but better for you (and often more affordable, as well). There are plenty of recipes online that anyone can follow.

Dried Fruit

Dried fruit can be confusing. We all know that fruit is good for us, so how can the dried version of it not be good for you? This food type undergoes quite a dramatic manufacturing process. As a result, it can lack water-soluble nutrients that you would get from fresh, frozen, and even canned fruit.

You probably pay a lot of attention to the labels of wine you buy, but do you take the same care with your everyday grocery food? There are plenty of food options out there that claim to be healthy, but there are often healthier alternatives available. Take care with your food choices and even consider browsing the internet for recipes to make healthy versions of them at home.