16/05/2026
That "plant-based" label on the front of the packet? It's not the health green light most people reckon it is.
Heaps of products marketed as plant-based are still ultra-processed β loaded with sodium, sugar, additives, and refined oils. The word "vegan" or "plant-based" tells you nothing about how nutritious the food actually is, or how much factory work went into making it.
Vegan chips are still chips.
Plant-based sausage can still be ultra-processed.
"Made from plants" doesn't automatically mean good for you.
So how do you spot the difference? Flip the packet over and run this quick 3-question test on the ingredients list π
1. Can you picture every ingredient in nature?
If you can't see it growing on a tree, in the soil, or on a farm β it's been processed.
2. Is the list longer than 5 ingredients?
More ingredients usually means more processing.
3. Is sugar, sodium, or oil in the top 3?
That's a red flag, even when the rest of the label is technically plant-based.
Eating more plants is still a great move. Just don't let the front of the packet do the thinking for you β the ingredients list is where the real story lives.
Want a diet plan that actually fits your lifestyle, goals, and the foods you genuinely enjoy?
Send us a DM or book a chat with our dietitian! we'll help you cut through the marketing noise and build something that works for your body π
What's a "healthy" plant-based product that totally surprised you once you read the label? Drop it in the comments π