Today content creators on social media not only sell content, but also food products that invade supermarkets and online platforms. Any examples? The spreads, the kombucha, the Dubai chocolate, the mochi: everything goes viral thanks to videos, reels and challenges in which these products seem to be exactly what we were looking for. But be careful! Their goodness does not always correspond (in fact almost never) to good nutritional quality.
This is confirmed by 60 Millions de Consommateurs, which analyzed the 10 most sponsored products with the help of Myriam Moussier, dietitian nutritionist.
Let’s see them one by one.
1. Dubai Chocolate
Dubai chocolate is sweeter and fattier than traditional bars and should be considered a chocolate bar and not real chocolate, the expert warns. With fillings of pistachio and tahini, but sometimes also palm oil and additives, the quality varies greatly.
The percentage of pistachios (which can fluctuate from 10% to 45%) does not always justify the high price, costs range from €70 to €192/kg. In short, a delight for the palate (for those who love very sweet flavours), but certainly not for our health and our wallet.
2. Mochi
These sweet rice and bean paste balls seem harmless, but many industrial versions are ultra-processed and far from the original recipe: full of sugars, additives such as guar gum and carrageenan as well as poor-quality fats, the excessive consumption of which causes an increase in bad cholesterol, notes Dr. Moussier.
Choosing mochi with real fruit puree and acceptable fats, such as coconut oil, is essential to avoid turning a dessert into a concentration of sugars.
3. Kombucha
A trending fermented drink, kombucha promises benefits for the gut microbiota. The industrial versions, however, often do not specify strains or quantities of bacteria, furthermore they contain sugar and steviol glycosides, so they should be considered a light alternative to carbonated drinks, but to be consumed a maximum of one glass per day.
4. Bubble Tea
Don’t let the name fool you: bubble tea is an ultra-sweet, ultra-processed drink. It contains less than 1% tea, is enriched with numerous additives and is also quite expensive (up to €10-15 per litre). The solution? Prepare it at home, using tea, vegetable milk, red fruits and tapioca pearls: so you can control sugars and ingredients.
5. Hot sauces
Chili sauces, such as Sriracha, can contain up to 24g of sugar and 10g of salt per 100g, as well as numerous additives. Better to use them in moderation, choosing simple versions that enhance the flavor of the chilli without turning into a concentrate of sugar and salt.
6. Featables chocolate bar
MrBeast bars contain less sugar than traditional chocolate, but the quality varies: the almond one is more balanced, while the peanut butter one includes palm oil and salt. A smart choice? Limit yourself to one square and alternate with dried fruit.
7. Crunchy peanut butter
Peanuts are nutritious, but many spreads are full of sugar and unhealthy fats. Aim for 100% peanut products, without sugar or palm oil, and don’t exceed one spoonful a day.
8. Instant noodles
Instant noodles are pre-cooked and fried in palm oil, full of additives and low in fiber and protein. Even the salt is excessive, think that a single portion can cover the daily requirement. The solution? Prepare them with fresh ingredients, low-sodium soy sauce, ginger, garlic and sesame oil.
9. Matcha
Real matcha is pure green tea powder, but many preparations on the market contain only 2% matcha and a lot of sugar. Therefore, pay attention to the products you intend to purchase, as 60 Millions de Consommateurs explains:
The matcha craze is giving rise to marketing that you have to watch out for so as not to pay a fortune for a few micrograms of this drink.
10. Franui
Raspberries are rich in fibre, vitamins and antioxidants, but in the version covered in chocolate and sugar – like Franui – they become anything but a portion of fruit. One jar can contain 561 kcal, compared to only 75 kcal in 150 g of fresh raspberries. The ideal portion? 3 to 5 pieces every now and then. Better yet, prepare them at home to reduce sugars and calories.
In light of all this, reading labels carefully, moderating the consumption of foods rich in sugar and fat and making informed choices remains the best strategy to not be fooled by what influencers sponsor.
