How you can search out stealthy unhealthy foods

From cereal bars to yoghurts, ultra-processed foods are good at hiding. Hannah Twiggs speaks to nutritionist Rob Hobson about the red flags to watch out for when filling your trolley

- By Hannah Twiggs

Walk down any supermarket aisle and it can feel like you need a chemistry degree to shop for dinner. From “high protein” cereal bars to “low-fat” yoghurts and “plant-based” ready meals, the labels are designed to scream health – but the ingredients list often tells a different story.

Walk down any supermarket aisle and it can feel like you need a chemistry degree to shop for dinner. From “high protein” cereal bars to “low-fat” yoghurts and “plant-based” ready meals, the labels are designed to scream health – but the ingredients list often tells a different story. Many of these “healthy” options fall into the category of ultra- processed foods (UPFs) - products linked to a growing list of health concerns, from weight gain and poor gut health to an increased risk of chronic disease.

In the UK, more than half the calories we consume now come from UPFs, and among teenagers, that figure rises to nearly two- thirds. Research published in BMJ has linked higher consumption of UPFs with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and early death - and yet they dominate our trolleys, often disguised as better-for-you choices.

“These foods are engineered to taste irresistible, low in fibre, vitamins and minerals and high in sugar, salt and saturated fat,” says Rob Hobson, a nutritionist and author of Unprocess Your Life. “They’re easy to overeat, can be addictive and often push healthier, nutrient-dense foods off our plates.”

For all the warnings, though, UPFs aren’t going anywhere (yet). They line every aisle, often hidden in plain sight and masquerading as healthy options — so where on Earth are shoppers supposed to start when it comes to making better choices?