For people with Type 2 diabetes
Most supermarkets are now offering their own 'healthy-eating' ranges. Although they can help you find healthier options, you still have to think about how that food fits into your diet.
It's important not to rely on foods marked as healthy-eating options as a healthy diet is made up of a variety of foods.
Some products may be labelled as low fat but still be high in sugar, and vice versa.
Products labelled 'low' contain less of that nutrient than those labelled 'reduced' – but whether a food is labelled 'diet', 'light', 'low' or 'reduced', all of them are healthier choices than standard versions of the same food. It's important to remember that there won't be significant savings for foods that contain high fat, salt and/or sugar in the first place, such as chocolate and crisps.
Also, bear in mind that some foods are naturally low in fat, sugar or salt, or high in fibre. Starchy foods like cereals and pasta are always low in fat, yet some brands are sold with the claim 'low-fat food'.
Reviewed August 2010
Next review February 2012