WASHINGTON – Muesli, yogurt, honey and tinned fruits are healthy alternatives to on-the-go energy snacks, right?
Well, not really, according to a study from New Zealand.
Otago University has compiled a list of 49 foods that provide a lot of energy, they say, but are completely devoid of any nutritional value.
The NEEDNT list (non-essential, energy dense, nutritionally deficient) was published in the New Zealand Medical Journal, 3News reports, as a way to identify foods commonly misconstrued as healthy.
“Muesli bars are a classic example of how overweight people can be misled into thinking they’re eating healthy food,” Dr Jane Elmslie, the study’s lead author, tells New Zealand’s 3News. “Most muesli bars are high in calories, and fat and sugar, with minimal nutritional value. Essentially they are just another form of biscuit.”
Chocolate is No. 5 on the alphabetical list, followed by cakes, butter and lard and biscuits. No major surprises there, but check out the full list for some surprises, such as corn chips (No. 9), marmalade (No. 27) and popcorn (No. 34).
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