Because they are practical and ready to use, compotes occupy a special place in our refrigerators. An equally roundabout way of consuming fruit. Yes, but at what price? In his new “Purchasing guide to eating well”, Dr. Jean-Michel Cohen, nutritionist, shares with us the references of compotes to avoid.
Compotes high in sugar and low in fiber
Applesauce remains an (ultra) processed product, generally low in fiber and with a high glycemic index.
“Their fiber content is often low due to grinding and filtration,” notes Julie Boët, dietitian-nutritionist.
In addition, because of the carbohydrates (in other words sugars) it contains, “compote causes a rapid rise in blood sugar, especially if consumed alone”, she adds. Needless to say, sugar is a proven risk factor for diabetes, cavities and cardiovascular disease…
Proven defects, also noted by Dr Jean-Michel Cohen, nutritionist. According to him, these ready-to-use gourds offer very little benefit, particularly due to the absence of fiber and vitamins.
“Cooking the fruit will largely destroy the vitamin C“, he says. At the same time, since the compote will be eaten quickly, or even sucked for compotes in a bottle, “satiation will be much less compared to eating a fresh piece of chewable fruit.”
Despite everything, this fruity snack can help with snacks on the go – provided you make the right choices on the shelves. Here are 4 references to never buy.
Compotes to ban from the shelves
If deciphering labels is an absolute priority in the supermarket, sometimes certain pitfalls can be hidden behind the formulations. Here are 4 compotes whose composition leaves something to be desired.
Pom’ Potes 5 fruits “Materne”
Don’t be fooled by the appearance of this product: its recipe is much less interesting than it seems.
“A great marketing promise based on 5 fruits. In reality, the product contains a little more than 80% apples and less than 8 g per bottle of each of the 4 other fruits. A flavor is added and the price per kilo is increased,” remarks the practitioner.
Apple and prune fruit dessert “Andros”
If the benefits of prunes on the digestive system are no longer to be proven, this compote contains only (very) little.
“OPeople often turn to this type of product thinking that consuming prunes will boost transit. However, here with only 17% of prune puree itself containing only 40% of prunes, there is little chance that the fiber intake per pot will bring you any help. The sugar intake is doubled compared to other compotes”, underlines the doctor.
Organic banana energy compote “Mule bar”
Be careful with this compote which is not one.
“It is incredible that the term “compote” is authorized for this organic, vegan and gluten-free product… but which is made up of half fruit and the other half sugar syrup. Sold in a 65 g bottle, the price per kilo exceeds €40! This product is closer to sports products like Andros® Sport or Isostar®but without any vitamin enrichment”,
reveals the nutritionist.
“Andros” apple-vanilla compote
Playing on indulgence, this product is actually ultra sweet.
“We are thinking of buying apples and vanilla with a Nutri-Score A. Except that the added sugar is not negligible and it is only a vanilla flavor. It’s disappointing! Surprisingly, the apple vanilla fruit dessert version in a 100 gram jar, which seems similar, contains 94% apples and is less sweet”, admits the specialist.
Compotes: which alternatives to turn to?
All those “without added sugars” should be preferred. Of course, the mention “glucose-fructose syrup” should scare you away, as will the presence of additives – still often present in compotes.
Despite these few recommendations, are you still hesitant about the shelves? Here are 4 references to favor:
- Apple prune without added sugar Andros;
- Fruit dessert in apple-strawberry-passion gourd, vitamins and zinc Materne;
- apple pieces and mango without added sugar Andros;
- apples and peaches without added sugar Charles & Alice.