A number of people I know, including me, follow a ‘healthy’ diet. So, that obviously doesn’t involve starving, but a healthy selection of food. If you are eating healthy, you make sure you order a salad instead of a cheeseburger, or a fruit juice instead of aerated drink, etc. But, if you really want to improve your health, then you should know what you have been eating.
I read somewhere that a few snacks that I used to consider healthy had actually more calories that the snacks that are labeled as ‘unhealthy’. So, I did some research and have come up with this list of food items that you think are healthy, but actually aren’t.
1. Frozen Yogurt
Recently, frozen yogurt has become an extremely healthy choice over ice cream. But, does it really make any difference when you make this healthy choice? In terms of simple sugar, it is not that far. It really matters the kind of yogurt you chose and the topping you select. With fat laden toppings, it’s pretty much equal to any ice cream.
2. Smoothies
I am not talking about the homemade smoothies with fresh fruits. They are great for you. But the packed smoothies you pick up from the grocery store thinking it will make a nice healthy breakfast drink, which in fact, holds more calories than a cheeseburger. It can have 650 to 1000 calories in it due to the extreme portions of fruit, vegetables, and, often times added simple sugars and syrups.
3. Granola
That healthy bowl of granola has more sugar than coke and more fat than fries. That trans fat and sugar can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Although, it can benefit you when taken in very small portions.
4. Whole wheat wraps
They sound healthy, but whole wheat wraps can be very deceiving. They have up to 300 calories (depending on the brand), and that is before you consider the stuffing like cheese, chicken etc.
5. Diet sodas and drinks
You might not know this, but diet sodas and drinks are loaded with artificial sweeteners. They increase sugar or carbohydrate cravings, and if consumed in great quantity, they actually impact weight gain.
6. Skim Milk
Vitamin A and D (fat soluble vitamins) found in whole milk do not get absorbed by our bodies until there is no fat. The proteins and calcium need those vitamins to be absorbed. When the fat is removed, so are the vitamins which absorb protein and calcium. Also, the process of creating skimmed milk includes adding milk solids created through a high-heat process that oxidizes the naturally occurring cholesterol in milk. That is harmful to your heart.
7. Fruit Juice
The packed fruit juice has added sugar and fructose which causes obesity, bad cholesterol, poor appetite control, etc.
8. Sport Drinks
You think it is helping you replenish electrolytes and carbs, but the truth is it’s just sugar water, with up to 30g sugar/serving.
9. Fast Food Salads
You think you are eating healthy, but all you are having is sugar-laden salad dressings, croutons made from refined white flour or white flour pasta. Ordering a double cheeseburger is a better choice. Hence, make your own salad.
10. Whole wheat bread
It’s not as healthy as you think it is. Dark bread can still contain corn syrup & trans-fats and eating too much bread will make you fat.
So, think before you eat.
Until next time… 🙂