Try as we might to eat healthy most of the time, we’re often tricked by advertising into thinking what they’re selling is really good for us. What does this mean? Sometimes what we think are healthy foods aren’t healthy at all! Often, the foods that get touted as “healthy” by food manufacturers aren’t the best choices in their class. So to help figure out what’s what, here’s a list of healthy foods that really aren’t that healthy.
Here are a few foods that get touted as “healthy” by food manufacturers. Although, many of them aren’t the best choices in their class.
BREAKFAST CEREAL
Tasty and fast, for sure. But, unfortunately, breakfast cereal is often jam-packed with extra sugars that will do more to drag you down than build you up for your day. A lot of breakfast cereals will jack up your blood sugar because they’re made with low fiber, fast acting carbohydrates (which leads to a blood sugar drop later in the morning).
If you like a morning bowl of cereal, opt for whole oats or steel cut oats. Add berries or a little Stevia for sweetness and some chopped nuts for healthy fats. This will give you some filling fiber to get you through the morning and a LOT more nutrition than a bowl of Cap’n Crunch.
DON’T GET THIS!
FLAVORED YOGURT
Yes, flavored yogurt tastes much better than its plain peers, but going with a pre-flavored yogurt will instantly double the amount of sugar you consume. Fortunately, overcoming the flavorless thing can be done healthily. All you have to do is add chopped, fresh fruit of your choice and enjoy! Consider Greek yogurt for a higher protein count.
MAKE THIS!
DIET SODA
Manufacturers woo you in with “zero calories!!!” emblazoned on the label/can. Unfortunately, scientists now think that diet soda messes with your body’s ability to recognize and manage sugar properly. Switch over to sparkling water if you like the carbonation but don’t want to feed your sweet tooth.
DON’T DRINK THIS!
POPCORN
No, all popcorn is not to be avoided at all costs. But more than likely, a lot of the unpopped kernels in your kitchen should be ditched.
Here’s a good way to determine if your popcorn is at war with your good health. Is it in a prepackaged bag that simply has to be tossed in the microwave to be cooked? If so, then stay away!
Those prepackaged popcorn packages, whether lightly buttered, drowning in butter, or candied offer no benefit. If you’re going to do popcorn, you’ll need to pop it the old-fashioned way, preferably via air popping.
BUY THIS!
“SKINNY” DESSERTS
The word “skinny” is alluring, I know. However, these diet desserts are often filled with artificial ingredients and sugars that are keeping you stuck with your fat loss. When you want dessert — go for the real thing: really good ice cream, a freshly baked cookie, a decadent brownie. Eat those yummy desserts once in a while and they won’t mess with your overall nutrition if it’s otherwise on point.
As a bonus, desserts made with real foods won’t add chemicals to your gut! For example, consider baking a small batch of cookies at home. You will get to enjoy a freshly made warm cookie that will not only taste delicious but will also have no harmful chemicals in them! You can even freeze the leftovers for another treat in the future.
Want to try it out? Check out this recipe for homemade peanut butter cookies!
BAKE THIS FROM SCRATCH!
GRANOLA BARS
Enjoyed by healthy hikers around the world, granola bars are the final unexpected bad choice in your kitchen. This one may have you scratching your head when you consider that your favorite kind is crammed with every fruit and nut you can imagine. But read the ingredient label and you’ll soon see that there is probably more added sugar (make that high-fructose corn syrup!) than goodness your body can use. If you need a snack bar, look for brands with little to no additional sugars and a limited ingredient list.
DON’T EAT THIS!
TAKEAWAY
Yes, generally these foods may be healthy or at least healthier than other foods. But, that doesn’t mean that every version of it sold in stores is healthy too! Thus, the usage of the phrase “healthy foods that really aren’t that healthy.”
Always check the labels when you can to see how much sugar is in the product (or corn syrup). Many times you can even make the food item yourself! Whether that be a bowl of yogurt with fruit, popcorn or even some cookies. Or, you can move towards the more healthier alternative of a product, such as the case of sparkling water in place of soda.
Follow our advice laid out from this article and feel confident in knowing that you are having the best option of that food item possible!
