The late Dr Michael Mosley warned about so-called ‘healthy’ foods that can sabotage weight loss goals
The late Dr Michael Mosley cautioned his many followers about so-called “healthy” foods that aren’t actually as beneficial for us as we might believe. Before his tragic death in 2024, the fitness and nutrition expert offered plenty of health guidance on his social media platforms, through his Just One Thing podcast and in his numerous books.
With supermarket aisles filled with products claiming to be the best choices for those watching their weight, it can be difficult to identify which are genuine. The health expert said many of these products don’t truly deliver the nutrition they promise and could do “more harm than good”.
In a 2023 post on the Fast 800 blog, Dr Mosley wrote: “In a world full of food manufacturers, with clever marketing and a lack of science behind their claims, it can often become confusing to know exactly which foods are healthy when you’re navigating the supermarket.
“With huge signs at the end of each aisle, telling you exactly why the latest products will turn your health around, it’s easy to fall into their well set traps and spend a fortune on “healthy” foods that are not so healthy.”
The late doctor provided an overview of four products marketed as healthy, but which he recommended against consuming.
Four ‘healthy’ foods to watch out for
Low-fat products
Low-fat snacks have traditionally been the first choice for anyone pursuing a healthier lifestyle. However, in recent years, scientific studies have delivered a wealth of fresh evidence highlighting the health advantages of full-fat products. Michael outlined several reasons why low-fat options might not be the wisest choice.
He explained that low fat items are frequently stripped of nutrients and packed with sugar and additives to compensate for the taste lost when removing fat. These high sugar, low fat products can trigger blood sugar spikes, which can fuel cravings and lead to energy slumps.
Furthermore, Michael pointed out that consuming foods high in mono and poly-unsaturated fats deliver rich flavour while keeping you fuller for longer, and they could even support weight loss efforts. He said: “A study, carried out by researchers at Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute, tracked the diets of 20,000 women over a period of 20 years.
“The study found links between the consumption of full-fat dairy products (milk and cheese) and weight loss. Over a ten year period, the women who regularly consumed full-fat milk saw a lower [Body Mass Index] BMI.”
Vegetable crisps
In recent years, veggie crisps have emerged as a fashionable alternative to traditional potato versions. Yet according to Mr Mosley, these thin vegetable slices aren’t substantial enough to deliver any meaningful nutritional benefit.
With most fried in sunflower oil to achieve their crunch and doused in salt for added taste, he suggested they may be no healthier than their potato-based counterparts. If you’re after something crunchy and savoury to keep hunger at bay before your evening meal, the health expert instead recommended reaching for raw vegetables, nuts, seeds, or gut-friendly fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi.
Bottled salad dressings
Salads ought to be helping you reach your health goals, but Michael warned they could be the very thing holding back your progress, largely due to their dressings.
He explained: “Not only do commercial dressings have a significant amount of calories per serving (and not many of us actually stick to the recommended serving of one tablespoon), they’re also packed with additives, to extend their shelf life, thickeners, hidden and other nasties that simply don’t belong in your cupboard!”
Rather than reaching for shop-bought dressings, try whipping up your own using equal measures of olive oil and balsamic vinegar or lemon juice.
Flavoured porridge
A bowl of freshly made porridge using rolled oats and whole milk is a fantastic way to kick off the day, though the same certainly can’t be said for those convenient “just add water” sachets.
According to Michael, a single serving of instant oatmeal can contain up to three spoonfuls of sugar, with certain brands packing a whopping 16g per serving.
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