Certain foods have gained the lofty status of being “good for you,” but not all of these foods live up to their reputation. In fact, some foods that have earned a health halo are downright bad from a nutritional standpoint. Here are four so-called “healthy” foods you’re better off leaving at the supermarket.
Granola
Granola conjures up visions of lean and fit hikers climbing a trail while munching on a handful of granola. Chances are they didn’t get lean by overindulging on this crunchy snack. Skip the granola, and eat oatmeal for breakfast instead. Granola usually contains lots of added sugar or corn syrup, and it’s loaded with calories. Granola can have as much as 500 calories in a single cup. If you enjoy snacking on cereal, choose a whole grain cereal with as little sugar as possible and mix it with a serving of nuts. Skip the granola bars too. They’re also high in sugar and calories.
Unhealthy Snack: Non-Potato Chips
The snack aisles of natural food markets are loaded with “healthy” chips. You can choose from sweet potato chips, apple chips, pita chips, veggie chips and more. This may sound like a way to enjoy something salty and crunchy without the guilt but read the labels carefully. They’re usually no lower in calories, carbs and sodium than standard potato chips. Many are made with white flour and have only small amounts of the vegetables they advertise in the form of veggie powder or vegetable puree. For something crunchy that’s also healthy, make kale chips at home in the oven using fresh kale. You can find instruction on how to do this online.
Fruit Juice
Fruit juice sounds like it would be a virtuous treat. After all, fruit is loaded with antioxidants. But some fruit juice has added sugar. Even the ones that don’t aren’t the healthiest choice. Fruit is loaded with fructose. This isn’t a problem when you eat a piece of whole fruit since the fiber in the fruit slows down its absorption. But when you drink a glass of fruit juice, you’re getting fructose in a concentrated form sans fiber. Bite into a fresh apple or enjoy a bowl of berries instead. Why drink your calories?
A Not Always Healthy Snack: Smoothies
Smoothies you make at home using fresh or frozen fruit and low-sugar yogurt have health benefits, but when you buy a smoothie at a juice or smoothie bar, you could be getting a lot more sugar and calories than you bargained for. Some large-size smoothies at well-known smoothie chains have 1,000 calories or more. Can you really afford such a high-calorie sip? If you have a passion for smoothies, make them at home so you can control the ingredients.
The Bottom Line?
It pays to read labels and know what goes into what you’re drinking or eating. Munching on granola while sipping a glass of fruit juice sounds like a healthy snack, but often times it isn’t. Be an informed eater and a healthier snacker. It could save you a ton of calories.
References:
Calorie Count at About.com.
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