Two-thirds of processed foods in Quebec grocery stores contain too much sugar, salt or saturated fat, according to a study. Out of more than 5,000 products, around 66% of them correspond to this conclusion.
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A report from the Food Supply Quality Observatory came to this conclusion. It shows that Quebecers consume products that are more harmful to them than they believe.
Sliced whole wheat bread, for example, may seem nutritious, but it actually contains too much sodium.
“With one or two slices, there is no problem, we will not exceed the daily limit,” explains Stéphanie Côté, nutritionist and author. But it is the accumulation of this bread and other products which are rich in salt in our day which leads us to exceed a certain limit which is less good for our health.
Here are the main foods targeted by this study:
- Sliced breads
- Breakfast cereals
- Cookies and pancakes
- Cheese products
- Savory snacks
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Ms. Côté offers healthy options, such as popcorn, plain crackers, fruits and vegetables. She also suggests avoiding children’s cereals.
The best solution is to prepare your own meals as much as possible. “It’s not always [évident] to do it 100%, but the more we cook, the more control we have over the quality of the ingredients that go on our plates,” she says.
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Nutritionists also urge the food industry to improve the formulation of these products so that they are better for health.
In Canada, a nutrition symbol on the front of a food package will soon be required if it is high in sodium, sugar or saturated fat. The food industry has until 1is January 2026 to prepare these changes.
Informational labels already exist for products rich in fiber and for vitamin sources, indicates the expert.
Watch the full interview in the video above.
