Mercadona has once again stood out with the new offerings it has brought inside. And when Mercadona releases new products, it is quite common for everyone to want to try them and they sell out quickly. But are all of them as good as they seem? If you want to take care of yourself, the answer is simple: you must be careful.
In the world of fitness, what you eat matters a lot and maintaining a proper diet is necessary. To shed some light on this, dietitian Lara Ibarra decided to analyze this series of novelties in one of her YouTube videos, and she was very clear: «Watch out, because not everything that glitters is gold. This time we even have creatine, but we will separate the marketing from the nutritional reality».
If you’re looking to lose fat or eat more healthily or without complications, the expert has explained what the best options are and which products it is preferable not to take.
The three best products according to the expert
1. Chicken bites (skinless thigh and drumstick)
Lara identifies it as the star product. It contains no water or added preservatives, only 100% natural chicken meat. It has very little fat (1.7 grams) and a lot of protein. It’s priced somewhat higher than whole chicken breast, but “the effort you save from not having to cut it is worth it.” That’s why, for the expert, this product is an absolute yes, since besides its good quality it can be used easily in a huge range of recipes.
2. Protein-fortified fresh cheese balls
These are a healthful take on the classic mozzarella balls, but in a lighter version. They’re made with a mix of skimmed and whole milk, which means they have much less fat than the originals. And as the name implies, they provide more protein (20 g). For this reason, and because they retain a good texture, the expert places them in the Top 3.
3. 100% natural frozen potato
According to the expert, this specific type of potato is ideal for saving time when making potato tortilla. Unlike almost all frozen potatoes, which carry low-quality oils or additives, this one contains only chopped potatoes. It’s a great option for weight loss because it fills you up and curbs hunger.
Be careful with the marketing
Meanwhile, the nutritionist has shown herself to be less inclined toward other products that, although they may seem healthy, do not fit into her recommendations:
Mercadona’s creatine
It’s one of the most talked-about items and it has generated the most doubts on social media. Even though it has a fairly accessible price, Ibarra explains why she doesn’t recommend it: “It is a less pure and less advisable creatine. It isn’t pure creatine monohydrate; it’s mixed with calcium, phosphorus and creatine phosphate to cut costs.”
Pizza Bites (for Air Fryer)
Regarding this type of product, Lara is clear: she notes that all those packages showing air fryers are designed to look healthier at a glance by enabling cooking with less oil. However, she reminds us that it’s important to nuance this: “If you put an ultraprocessed item in the air fryer, you remove the extra oil from frying it, but it remains an ultraprocessed food.” That’s why she notes that they aren’t bad for a treat once in a while, but they shouldn’t be consumed regularly.
Hamburguesa 98% cerdo ibérico
Although its meat percentage is very high, it contains a 15% fat due to cuts like the secreto ibérico. It isn’t a lean cut of meat, so its calorie load is elevated.
Giant flatbreads
These are mainly made with refined flour and sunflower oil, so they aren’t highly recommended. As an alternative for quick fajitas or pizzas, the nutritionist suggests the chain’s piadinas, as they are made with extra virgin olive oil.
Bagged potato chips and lime-flavored nuts
The bagged potato chips use sunflower oil (with classic olive oil-fried chips and unsalted being preferable), while the mixed nuts contain added sugars, salt and flavor enhancers. Therefore, both should be consumed only on very occasional occasions.
Other options that can be good
Cottage cheese-style cream cheese
With only 4 g of fat and 12 g of protein, it stands out as a light option for toast or sauces. It’s basically as good as the classic, but in a different format.
Rustic sauté (potato, sweet potato and red onion)
A frozen blend that contains only the listed ingredients. That’s why Lara highlights it as a very good option for side dishes.
