With everyone being so health-conscious nowadays, navigating the vast range of food choices can be daunting. With labels boasting of “low-fat,” “sugar-free,” or “gluten-free,” it’s easy to fall into the trap of assuming certain processed foods are healthy choices.
However, these seemingly virtuous options hide a dark secret: they’re highly processed and full of hidden sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives. Here’s a list of 15 commonly mistaken “healthy” foods that may do more harm than good.
Granola Bars
Granola bars often masquerade as a healthy snack, but many are loaded with added sugars, artificial flavors, and preservatives. While they may contain oats and nuts, unhealthy additions often overshadow these ingredients. Opt for homemade granola bars or read labels carefully to choose ones with minimal added sugars and whole food ingredients for a healthier option.
Flavored Yogurt
Flavored yogurts are notorious for their high sugar content. Despite their probiotic benefits, many flavored yogurts contain more sugar than a candy bar, undermining any potential health benefits. To enjoy the benefits of yogurt without the added sugars, opt for plain Greek yogurt and add your own fresh fruit or honey for sweetness.
Veggie Chips
While veggie chips sound like a nutritious alternative to potato chips, they’re often fried and coated in unhealthy oils, negating any nutritional value from the vegetables they’re made from. Instead, try making your own veggie chips at home by baking thinly sliced vegetables with a drizzle of olive oil for a healthier snack option.
Protein Bars
Protein bars are marketed as a convenient way to refuel post-workout. Still, many are packed with artificial ingredients, excessive sugar alcohols, and fillers, making them more akin to candy bars than a wholesome protein source. For a healthier option, look for protein bars with minimal ingredients, primarily from whole food sources like nuts and seeds, and with low added sugars.
Fruit Juice
Fruit juice may seem like a natural, healthy choice. However, most commercially available juices are stripped of fiber and loaded with added sugars, making them essentially a sugary beverage with little nutritional value. Opt for whole fruits or freshly squeezed juices to ensure you’re getting the fiber and nutrients without the added sugars.
Multigrain Bread
Don’t be fooled by the “multigrain” label. Many commercial multigrain breads are highly processed and contain refined grains, added sugars, and preservatives, lacking the fiber and nutrients found in whole-grain bread. Look for bread labeled “100% whole grain” or “whole wheat” with minimal ingredients for a healthier bread option.
Gluten-Free Snacks
Gluten-free snacks have gained popularity in recent years, but many are heavily processed and loaded with refined flours, sugars, and additives to mimic the taste and texture of their gluten-containing counterparts. For a healthier alternative, choose naturally gluten-free snacks like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
Rice Cakes
Rice cakes are often touted as a low-calorie snack, but they’re highly processed and lack the nutrients found in whole grains. Additionally, many flavored varieties contain added sugars and artificial flavors. Instead of rice cakes, opt for whole grain crackers or air-popped popcorn for a more nutritious snack option.
Diet Soda
Despite being calorie-free, diet sodas are laden with artificial sweeteners and chemicals, which have been linked to various health concerns, including weight gain and increased risk of metabolic syndrome. Swap diet soda for sparkling water with a splash of fresh lemon or lime juice for a refreshing, healthier alternative.
Trail Mix
Trail mix can be a healthy snack when made with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. Still, many store-bought varieties contain added sugars, hydrogenated oils, and candy-coated chocolates, turning them into a calorie-dense, unhealthy option. Make your trail mix at home with unsalted nuts, seeds, and dried fruit for a nutrient-rich snack without the added sugars and unhealthy fats.
Fat-Free Salad Dressing
Fat-free salad dressings may seem like a guilt-free way to dress your salad. Still, they’re often loaded with added sugars, artificial flavors, and preservatives to compensate for the lack of fat, undermining the healthiness of your greens. Opt for homemade salad dressings made with olive oil, vinegar, and herbs for a healthier option with beneficial fats.
Low-Fat Peanut Butter
Low-fat peanut butter may sound like a healthier option. Still, it often contains added sugars and hydrogenated oils to compensate for the reduced fat content, sacrificing the natural goodness of peanuts. Choose natural peanut butter made with only peanuts and salt for a healthier spread without the added sugars and unhealthy fats.
Frozen Yogurt
Frozen yogurt is often perceived as a healthier alternative to ice cream. Still, many varieties are loaded with added sugars and artificial flavors, negating any potential health benefits from the probiotics found in yogurt. Enjoy plain frozen yogurt topped with fresh fruit for a healthier treat without the added sugars and artificial additives.
Breakfast Cereals
Many breakfast cereals marketed as “low-fat” or “whole grain” are still packed with added sugars, artificial colors, and preservatives, making them a poor choice for starting your day on a healthy note. For a healthier breakfast, look for cereals with minimal added sugars and ingredients you can pronounce, or choose oatmeal topped with fresh fruit and nuts for a nutrient-rich meal.
Veggie Burgers
While veggie burgers can be a nutritious alternative to meat, many store-bought varieties are highly processed and contain a laundry list of additives, including artificial flavors, preservatives, and stabilizers, making them more akin to fast food than a wholesome meal. Make your veggie burgers at home using whole food ingredients like beans, lentils, and vegetables for a healthier option without the added processed ingredients.
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Victoria Cornell helps women adopt a positive mindset even when the struggles of motherhood feel overwhelming. Victoria writes for multiple media outlets where she writes about, saving money, retirement, ways to reduce stress with mindset, manifesting, goal planning, productivity, and more.
