So-called slimming products often rarely differ from their standard counterparts, and cost more, according to new research out today.
Consumer watchdog Which? found that diet products give little benefit compared with standard foods such as cereal, biscuits and bread.
Kellogg’s Special K contain 171 calories per 30g, which is the same as the firm’s Cornflakes and more than its Bran Flakes (157). But Special K costs over £1 more than these choices.
Per slice, Weight Watchers Thick Sliced White has 68 calories, while Asda’s Danish White 63 and Warburtons Toastie Sliced White 69.
But the Weight Watchers item costs more at 79p for 400g. And even though Which? said the slice of Asda loaf is lighter at 25g, it said consumers ought to buy the one they prefer.
McVitie’s Lights have only slightly fewer calories (66 per biscuit) than the original McVitie’s (70 per biscuit), the watchdog said. The Lights have more sugar, the company added.
Sainsbury’s own-brand Vegetable Soup has fewer calories (97) per 295g serving than Weight Watchers Hearty Veg Broth (127) and Heinz Classic Vegetable Soup (127), Which? said.
The Sainsbury’s option is also the cheapest (39p for a tin).
Marks & Spencer’s Count on Us Lasagne has 440 calories, only slightly less than Morrisons’ standard lasagne (464) and Waitrose’s 468, it added.
Head of Which? services research Nikki Ratcliff said: “The harsh reality is that exercise coupled with a healthy balanced diet is the only effective way to lose weight.
“Just because foods are labelled as light or advertised as diet brands, it doesn’t mean that they’re the lowest calorie option.
“Look at other similar products on the shelf – you might find some that don’t brand themselves as light actually have fewer calories or less fat or less sugar, so you’d be better off buying them instead.”
In November, retailers in the north-east began a trial of a healthy-eating initiative.
This came after the Department of Health said it has reached an agreement with some of the biggest supermarkets including Asda and Tesco to offer healthy food at discounted prices.
