Label Warning from Experts on Low-Calorie and Sugar-Free Products
Dietitian Nazlı Aydın stated that claims on the front of packaged foods should not be trusted and that back labels must be examined.
Dietitian Nazlı Aydın from Medipol Koşuyolu Hospital warned consumers, stating that foods marketed as low-calorie or sugar-free may contain hidden sugars and various additives.
The Importance of Examining Back Labels
Dietitian Nazlı Aydın stated that products marketed as low-calorie or sugar-free must be evaluated by looking at their ingredient lists. Aydın conveyed that to understand whether a product is healthy, one should look at the list on the back rather than the front of the package.
Simple Ingredients Should Be Preferred
Experts recommend that food ingredients be as simple as possible and contain no more than five or six components. It is important to re-evaluate products containing numerous additives whose names and meanings are unknown before consuming them.
The Deceptiveness of Sugar-Free Claims
Stating that the phrase sugar-free does not always mean safe, Aydın emphasized that glucose syrup, fructose syrup, and starch derivatives can be used in some products. This situation can lead to sudden fluctuations in blood sugar.
Risks in Products Thought to Be Natural
It was stated that even some foods thought to be natural may contain added sugar during processing. For example, it was reported that even dates, which are seen as a healthy choice, can be washed with glucose syrup and can cause more harm than good.
The Diet Product Fallacy
Stating that one of the common mistakes encountered in the clinic is avoiding bread and turning solely to diet products, Aydın reminded that a diet is a matter of portion control, not a product. It was stated that zero-calorie or light products are not healthy on their own.