Rich in potassium, magnesium and iron, dried fruits are one of the French’s favorite snacks. However, they are not always good for your health when they appear “grilled or processed“, recalls Dr Jean-Michel Cohen, nutritionist and author of the book “The purchasing guide to eating well”. Here are four sachets that should no longer be consumed.
Dried fruits, a snack that is not always healthy for your health
Dried fruits are simple fresh fruits dehydrated by natural or mechanical processes. This dehydration concentrates nutrients and sugars, making them more caloric.
“Oilseeds are seeds particularly rich in fat (45% on average), since we can, as their name suggests, extract oil from them,” confirms Dr. Cohen. “This richness in lipids makes them products high in calories in a low volume, which encourages you to limit consumption, especially since these seeds are frequently offered roasted and very salty!”, he recalls.
If dates, figs and other dried apricots therefore represent a quick and effective source of energy, they can also tip the needle of the scale to the wrong side.
Be careful, some recipes “offer you these same seeds coated in a biscuit shell or even caramelized, which further increases the caloric intake”, warns the famous nutritionist again.
As for the term “dry roasted”, it is often synonymous with additives. So many traps that it is important to detect on the shelves to (finally) make the right choices.
Dried fruits: the 4 items to no longer buy in the supermarket
Among the multitude of existing bags of dried fruits, the composition of these four references particularly disappointed Dr. Cohen, who invites everyone to no longer consume them.
The “Vico” aperifruit tutti frutti
A tutti frutti that doesn’t allow you to fill up on fruit… but rather fill up on sugar.
“The mixture of peanuts and fruit can seduce and even make a good impression. In reality, the second ingredient after peanuts is sugar. Added to this are a few additives, including even flavorings. Not very glorious! Aperifruits Sweet is not better composed!”, warns Dr. Jean-Michel Cohen.
Wasabi pea “Tanoshi”
Although the Japanese aspect of this sachet may be appealing, there is actually nothing healthy about it.
“Peas with wasabi certainly, but above all sweet and salty. Two colorings added in a product which will naturally already be green! The salt level is really excessive”, warns the expert.
Twinuts Grilled Bacon “Bénénuts”
More coating than dried fruit. This is a product extremely rich in bad fats!
“40% peanuts and therefore 60% biscuit coating. There are no less than 5 additives. Let’s still salute a great effort to reduce salt”, underlines the nutritionist doctor.
Doumix white chocolate and fruit “Maître Prunille”
Raisins, sunflower oil, sugar, mango, white chocolate… Behind these few rare fruits mentioned, there is above all a highly sweet product.
“A packaging that can turn out to be treacherous. It looks like a healthy product, but the composition makes it an especially gourmet product. The result is less protein and fiber, more sugar. Remember to dose, because the consumption of the entire package (150 g) would not be negligible!”, warns Dr. Jean-Michel Cohen.
What alternatives should you turn to?
To enjoy the benefits of dried fruits without loading up on sugar and saturated fatty acids, choose these four references, validated by the nutritionist.
- Roasted Brazil nuts without added salt “Daco bello”;
- Vitalmix strength “Maître Prunille”;
- Almonds & cranberries raw unsalted pleasure “Bénénuts”;
- Grilled mustard & rosemary aperitif seeds “Chiche”.
Something to be armed with for the next aperitif!