Everyday 'healthy' foods that are actually ultra-processed as dad reveals top tips for losing weight

Daily Mirror

02-05-2025

Steve Bennett lost three and a half stone after completely switching up his diet, revealing his top tips for weight loss and healthy eating as he vows to banish ultra-processed foods
A dad-of-five has revealed the truth behind so-called "healthy" products you find in your local supermarket - and it's bad news if you love a protein bar before the gym.
Behind many supermarket labels shouting about 'natural sugar' or 'low fat' lies a hidden world of ultra-processed ingredients that could be quietly sabotaging your health. Steve Bennett, 59, knows the dangers of these so-called 'healthy' foods all too well.
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Once obese and struggling with his weight despite regular exercise and home-cooked meals, it wasn't until a wake-up call at 50, when he became a father again, that he began to question everything he thought he knew about diet and nutrition.
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Now in the best shape of his life and the author of The Fibre First Diet, Steve is on a mission to debunk the myths around processed foods, starting with the ones most people still think are good for them.
"Anything in a supermarket that comes in a packet and claims to have a health benefit is usually hiding something," he tells the Mirror. "You'll never see a label on broccoli or salmon saying '100 per cent natural' or 'packed with goodness' - because real food doesn't need marketing."
He points to products like protein bars and high-fibre cereals as prime offenders. "There's this perception that if something is marketed for fitness or wellbeing, it must be good for weight loss,' he explains.
"But most protein bars I've seen are no better than a Mars bar. They're full of sugar and refined carbs. If you're trying to build muscle, maybe there's an argument, but if your goal is weight loss or general health, they're a disaster."
Even products long considered diet staples come under scrutiny. "Fish fingers, chicken kievs, ready meals – even the 'healthy' ones – are usually packed with chemicals, fillers and additives to make them taste good and last longer on the shelf," he says.
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"It's not just the obvious culprits like crisps and fizzy drinks. It's the things you don't expect."
Steve believes the public has been misled by decades of clever marketing. "If it says 'low fat', you can bet it's high in sugar. If it says 'all natural', it probably isn't. The more a product tries to convince you it's healthy, the more suspicious you should be."
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For anyone looking to clean up their diet, his advice is simple - eat real food and lots of fibre. "Food should look like food. If your grandmother wouldn't recognise it, don't eat it. Fish should look like fish, not be mashed up, breaded and frozen into a shape."
He recommends starting every meal with a source of fibre - a technique he credits with helping him shed over three stone.
"Fibre slows digestion, helps control appetite, and is crucial for weight loss," he says. "But not all fibre is equal. The key is the fibre-to-carb ratio. You want foods where fibre is higher than carbs.
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"Seeds, nuts, leafy greens - they're all brilliant. Some fruits too, like berries, apples, and avocado. Apples are great, pears are borderline, and bananas are a no-go if you're trying to lose weight."
He adds that food labels can often be misleading when it comes to fibre content. "Some cereals boast about high fibre, but they're still loaded with sugar and refined grains. It's not just about having fibre - it's about the overall balance."
Steve is calling for more consumer awareness around healthy eating. " Supermarkets will keep selling what people buy. If we start demanding real food, they'll supply it. But first, people need to know what they're actually eating."
He says the first step is learning to spot ultra-processed foods - especially the ones hiding behind health claims. "If it's in a shiny packet and sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You don't need a degree in nutrition to eat well. Just stick to foods that look like they did in nature."