8 Not-So-Healthy 'Health' Foods
Many of the foods we see in storesclaim to be healthy. We see terms such as "all natural", "low fat" or believe the food is healthy because of the way it is marketed. Some foods that claim to be "good for you" really are not. Here is a list of some of the foods believed to be healthy, but actually...not so much:
Muffins: Muffins are everywhere. Big box retailers carry them, supermarkets, cafes, even street vendors. Muffins are believed to be a healthy alternative to the donut. In fact, muffins have more calories and fat than any regular donut. In reality, they are mini-cakes. Most muffins today have 400 to 500 calories or more and upwards of 20 grams of fat and are loaded with added sugar. Stay clear of muffins and choose a whole grain bagel or English muffin instead. You will significantly cut the amount of calories and fat and start your day healthier.
Frozen Yogurt: Yogurt is healthy so frozen yogurt must be as well, right? Most frozen yogurts actually contain as fat and as many calories as traditional ice cream. If you really need to have frozen yogurt, choose the low-fat varieties that have live, active cultures. Look for the ones with the "Live & Active" seal from the National Yogurt Association confirming that the products that beneficial bacteria when produced. And always read the nutrition labels for the amount of calories, sugar and fat per serving.
Pretzels: A healthy alternative to the maligned potato chip it is not. Pretzels contain almost not nutrients, coupled with the fact that they are high in sodium and calories. Instead of pretzels, reach for a handful of nuts which are nutritionally dense and heart healthy. Remember to keep it to a handful as nuts are high in calories (their only downside).
Vegetable Chips: This snack food has taken off in recent years. How can anyone resist? The packaging promises the goodness of real vegetables with the appeal of potato chips. We must always remember the adage, "if it seems too good to be true...." Vegetable chips do have vegetables, but they are mostly oil, potatoes, and salt. They are also dehydrated and not as filling and have far more calories than the real thing. Conclusion: these chips are not a substitute for real vegetables.
Pizza: Yes, Congress, thanks to lobbyists, did declare that pizza counted as a vegetable in school lunches, but in reality pizza today is not what it once was. Commercially produced or restaurant pizzas are mostly all crust, cheese and processed meat. The translation is one slice of pizza sold at pizzerias can have 500-600 calories and a day's worth of sodium. If you must have pizza, choose the vegetarian variety or try to stick to just one piece of the traditional kind.
Protein Bars: Most of these bars are just candy bars in disguise. High in calories and fat and do not satiate a person sufficiently. A better choice is regular greek yogurt. This type of yogurt is low in sugar, high in protein, and lower in calories than most protein bars. It will also will keep you fuller longer.
Related Article: High-Protein Greek Yogurt Gains In Popularity
Multigrain Bread: 6-grain, 9-grain, 12-grain. People think that the more grains a bread has the healthier it is. Actually, most of these breads do not contain WHOLE grains. Whole grain basically means the bread includes the bran and germ of the bread which is loaded with nutrients and not stripped or refined. All the nutrients are kept in tact. Look for bread that is made with 100% wholegrains and always read the labels carefully.
Turkey Burgers/Hot Dogs: Many varieties of turkey burgers and hot dogs contain more calories than the regular kinds. Most also have more fat and sodium. If you want to have turkey stick to the breast or at least read the labels carefully and choose accordingly.
Muffins: Muffins are everywhere. Big box retailers carry them, supermarkets, cafes, even street vendors. Muffins are believed to be a healthy alternative to the donut. In fact, muffins have more calories and fat than any regular donut. In reality, they are mini-cakes. Most muffins today have 400 to 500 calories or more and upwards of 20 grams of fat and are loaded with added sugar. Stay clear of muffins and choose a whole grain bagel or English muffin instead. You will significantly cut the amount of calories and fat and start your day healthier.
Frozen Yogurt: Yogurt is healthy so frozen yogurt must be as well, right? Most frozen yogurts actually contain as fat and as many calories as traditional ice cream. If you really need to have frozen yogurt, choose the low-fat varieties that have live, active cultures. Look for the ones with the "Live & Active" seal from the National Yogurt Association confirming that the products that beneficial bacteria when produced. And always read the nutrition labels for the amount of calories, sugar and fat per serving.
Pretzels: A healthy alternative to the maligned potato chip it is not. Pretzels contain almost not nutrients, coupled with the fact that they are high in sodium and calories. Instead of pretzels, reach for a handful of nuts which are nutritionally dense and heart healthy. Remember to keep it to a handful as nuts are high in calories (their only downside).
Vegetable Chips: This snack food has taken off in recent years. How can anyone resist? The packaging promises the goodness of real vegetables with the appeal of potato chips. We must always remember the adage, "if it seems too good to be true...." Vegetable chips do have vegetables, but they are mostly oil, potatoes, and salt. They are also dehydrated and not as filling and have far more calories than the real thing. Conclusion: these chips are not a substitute for real vegetables.
Pizza: Yes, Congress, thanks to lobbyists, did declare that pizza counted as a vegetable in school lunches, but in reality pizza today is not what it once was. Commercially produced or restaurant pizzas are mostly all crust, cheese and processed meat. The translation is one slice of pizza sold at pizzerias can have 500-600 calories and a day's worth of sodium. If you must have pizza, choose the vegetarian variety or try to stick to just one piece of the traditional kind.
Protein Bars: Most of these bars are just candy bars in disguise. High in calories and fat and do not satiate a person sufficiently. A better choice is regular greek yogurt. This type of yogurt is low in sugar, high in protein, and lower in calories than most protein bars. It will also will keep you fuller longer.
Related Article: High-Protein Greek Yogurt Gains In Popularity
Multigrain Bread: 6-grain, 9-grain, 12-grain. People think that the more grains a bread has the healthier it is. Actually, most of these breads do not contain WHOLE grains. Whole grain basically means the bread includes the bran and germ of the bread which is loaded with nutrients and not stripped or refined. All the nutrients are kept in tact. Look for bread that is made with 100% wholegrains and always read the labels carefully.
Turkey Burgers/Hot Dogs: Many varieties of turkey burgers and hot dogs contain more calories than the regular kinds. Most also have more fat and sodium. If you want to have turkey stick to the breast or at least read the labels carefully and choose accordingly.
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