Choosing products with a short list of ingredients can be beneficial

• A short list of ingredients may indicate less processing of the product.
• Pay attention to the type of ingredients, not just their quantity.
• Cosmetic ingredients may indicate possible ultra-processing of the product.

On the labels of most packaged food products, you can find a list of ingredients that indicates their quantity and types. In Australia, packaged food products must adhere to certain regulations established by the Code Standards of Australia and New Zealand. Ingredients are listed in order of decreasing weight, meaning those at the beginning of the list make up a larger portion of the product.

To support overall health, Australian dietary recommendations advise consuming "whole" products that have undergone minimal processing, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Products with a short list of ingredients are usually less processed, so this can be a useful criterion when choosing them.

However, a short list of ingredients does not always guarantee that a product is healthy. For example, some products may contain a large amount of sugar or fat, even if their ingredient list is short. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the type of ingredients.

In addition, it is worth being cautious about cosmetic ingredients that do not have nutritional value, such as colorants and emulsifiers. If the ingredient list contains many such additives, it may indicate that the product is ultra-processed and is not the best choice for everyday consumption.

Tags: Well-being