Across various fields, experts have shared the supermarket items they deliberately avoid, shedding light on growing consumer awareness around diet and health. More shoppers are becoming discerning, driven by concerns over ultra-processed foods and their impact on well-being.
A large share of supermarket products are ultra-processed—formulated to be irresistibly tasty, cheap to produce, and long-lasting. These often contain chemical additives, excessive sugar, and saturated fats, raising health flags. But cost considerations also influence purchasing decisions.
Steve Bennett, PCI-qualified health coach and founder of Clubwell, draws from 25 years of personal and professional experience to highlight items that undermine health:
READ MORE: Pub Landlords Criticize Government’s 15% Business Rates Discount as Insufficient Relief
READ MORE: Prue Leith and Amanda Holden Praise The Bull as Their Favourite Cotswolds Pub for Its Great Food
-
Breakfast Cereals: Many are stripped of fiber and packed with sugar—sometimes as much as 19 teaspoons per bowl—triggering blood sugar spikes and fat storage.
-
Fruit Juice: Despite its “healthy” image, a glass typically contains 8 teaspoons of sugar without fiber, delivering a sugar overload that can contribute to fat accumulation in the liver.
-
Low-fat Products: To compensate for removed fat, manufacturers often add sugar and additives. For example, low-fat yogurt can contain more sugar than ice cream. Healthy fats are crucial for hormone balance, brain function, and satiety.
-
Shop-bought Granola: Processed granola has a high sugar content and low fiber, making it a poor choice compared to homemade versions that utilize nuts, seeds, and minimal sweetener.
-
Vegetable Oils: Industrial seed oils like corn and sunflower are highly processed and inflammatory. Alternatives such as olive oil, coconut oil, butter, or ghee are preferable. (Note that some experts disagree on the harmfulness of seed oils.)
-
Ready Meals: These often combine sugar, fat, and salt in unnatural ways to override hunger signals, encouraging repeat consumption at the expense of health.
His simple advice: shop the supermarket perimeter where whole, fresh foods—meat, fish, vegetables—reside. If your grandmother wouldn’t recognize it as food, neither should your body.
Dr. Sarah Schenker, registered dietitian and nutritionist, points out the nutritional downsides of instant meals like Pot Noodles. They mainly provide refined carbs, minimal protein, few vitamins or minerals, and are high in salt and additives such as MSG. Their lack of fiber and protein leads to low satiety, causing you to feel hungry soon after eating.
Nicole Hunn, culinary expert at Gluten Free on a Shoestring, seldom buys gluten-free packaged items like bread and cookies due to their reliance on refined starches, preservatives, and gums, which compromise taste and texture. She advocates baking at home with real ingredients for superior flavor and quality.
On the financial front, shopping specialist Sarah-Jane Outten highlights cost inefficiencies:
-
Pre-chopped Fruits and Vegetables: Convenience comes at a price—up to three times more expensive with shorter shelf life.
-
Pre-grated Cheese: Blocks offer better value than pre-grated cheese, which often contains anti-clumping additives.
-
Jars of Spices: Larger quantities from international food stores provide better value and support local businesses.
-
Bottled Water: Investing in a water filter is cost-effective and environmentally friendly compared to buying bottled water.
-
Travel-size Toiletries: Mini bottles can be pricey; buying regular sizes and decanting saves money.
Retail analyst Clay Cary identifies pricey supermarket traps too:
-
Greeting Cards: Avoid overpaying by purchasing at discount retailers or buying in bulk online.
-
Batteries: Large multi-packs from warehouse clubs or online retailers offer better prices.
-
Name-brand Cleaning Products: Generic alternatives or homemade solutions work just as well and cost less.
Abbas Kanani, superintendent pharmacist, advises against purchasing over-the-counter medicines and supplements at supermarkets due to limited options, higher prices, and lack of professional guidance. He warns that high-dose vitamins and supplements, often marketed as harmless, may be unnecessary or harmful without proper advice.
In summary, shopping smarter means being cautious about processed items, considering nutritional value, and weighing cost-effectiveness. Prioritizing whole foods and informed choices benefits both health and wallet.