Sometimes the ‘healthier’ version isn’t healthy at all.

You walk passed them on the supermarket shelves. They seem innocent and have the reputation for being good for you. You place them in your trolley and you give yourself a proverbial pat on the back- you’ve chosen some vegetable chips and even got some enriched water. All that’s left is to grab your whey protein and smoothie on your way to the till. The products you’re taking contain the new health buzzwords so they must be good for you, right? You might think so, but it’s not always the case.

Here are some of the latest buzzwords you should watch out for.

So-called healthy drinks

Plant-based milk products have become extremely popular, especially with the rise of paleo-style eating plans. However, if you read the label, you’ll find that they can contain more sugar than your average sugar drink. Rather choose an unsweetened option.

Smoothies

Most smoothies are loaded with sugar. By adding a scoop of whey protein, you’re not making them any healthier. It’s best to make your own so you can control the ingredients and the amount of sugar used. Try adding fruits with lower sugar content such as cranberries (4 grams of sugar per cup), raspberries (5 grams of sugar per cup) and avocado. You may want to avoid high fructose fruits such as mango (23 grams of sugar per cup) and cherries (18 grams of sugar per cup).

Organic

Despite what you may believe, organic foods don’t contain fewer calories than non-organic options. It’s just healthier because the products are grown on certified land without the use of chemicals. Studies show that people are willing to pay more for organic products. Make sure it’s worth it by making sure the ‘certified’ is on the label.

Enriched water

Some enriched water products are artificially coloured drinks that are loaded with calories and sugar. You’re therefore better off swallowing your multivitamin with normal water. That way you will still have the benefits- minus the extra sugar.