Dr Michael Mosley warns four 'healthy' foods do 'more harm than good'

People are turning to healthy alternatives to try and improve their diet - but one expert believes they're choosing the wrong options. Celebrity health expert Doctor Michael Mosley has warned about some foods that seem healthy but can actually do "more harm than good".

Among them are low-fat alternatives and even porridge. He says lots of food items say they are low in fat or don't have "unhealthy" ingredients.

You might believe these promises, but Dr Mosley says many of these foods aren't as good for us as we think. He said it can be "confusing" to know which foods are best to buy when you're shopping and lots of items say they are healthy.

In a blog post on the Fast 800 website last year, TV doctor Mosley wrote: "In a world full of food manufacturers, with clever marketing and a lack of science behind their claims, it can often become confusing to know exactly which foods are healthy when you're navigating the supermarket."

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"With huge signs at the end of each aisle, telling you exactly why the latest products will turn your health around, it's easy to fall into their well-set traps and spend a fortune on 'healthy' foods that are not so healthy."

To help you understand more about what is actually healthy, Dr Mosley has shared four foods that he thinks aren't worth spending your money on - even though they are sold as healthier options.

Firstly, Dr Mosley talks about vegetable crisps. They might seem like a healthier choice than potato crisps, but they're not.

The thin slices of veggies don't have much nutritional value and they're fried in lots of sunflower oil. Instead, he suggests eating raw vegetables, nuts, seeds, or gut-friendly foods like sauerkraut and kimchi.

Next, he warns us about 'low-fat alternatives'. Recent science shows that full-fat foods can be good for us.

Low-fat items often have their nutrients taken out and are filled with sugar and additives to make them taste better. This can cause our blood sugar to go up and make us want more food, says the Daily Record.

Dr Mosley said: "A study, carried out by researchers at Stockholm's Karolinska Institute, tracked the diets of 20,000 women over a period of 20 years. The study found links between the consumption of full-fat dairy products (milk and cheese) and weight loss. Over a ten-year period, the women who regularly consumed full-fat milk saw a lower BMI."

Lastly, he tells us to avoid instant porridge that comes in sachets where you 'just add water'. One bowl of this type of oatmeal can have up to three spoonful's of sugar, as some brands have a whopping 16g per serving.

The expert also warned against bottled salad dressings. Despite salads being a healthy choice, these dressings "have a significant amount of calories per serving", and many people don't stick to the suggested portion size.

The expert explained: "They're also packed with additives, to extend their shelf life, thickeners, hidden and other nasties that simply don't belong in your cupboard! " Instead, he suggests making your own dressing using equal parts olive oil and balsamic vinegar or lemon juice.