Unfortunately it turns out that some “healthy” food just isn’t that healthy for us. Misleading labels, and false marketing are the culprits of this phenomenon, and you could be falling victim to it. Make sure to take special care when eating the following “healthy” foods:
Yogurt
Any yogurt is a great source of calcium and vitamin D. However, some brands have as much fat and sugar as a jelly donut. It’s important to be sure that you’re choosing the right yogurt by choosing the plain, low fat varieties. It’s better to flavor yogurt with your own fruit and honey rather than eat all of the refined stuff that often comes in sugary low fat versions.
Fat-free salad dressing
If you’re trying to keep an eye on your blood pressure, low fat salad dressing can be one of the worst things for you. While it’s true that these varieties of dressing are in fact low in fat, they often make up for it in extreme amounts of sodium. A good replacement is to make your own salad dressing by combining vinegar, lemon juice and seasonings like mustard seed and pepper. (Hint: lemon juice usually makes a great substitute for salt in a number of dishes!)
Protein bars
Ever eat a protein bar and wonder why it tastes so much like a candy bar? That’s because it basically is. Essentially, protein bars are vitamin and protein-infused candy bars. They’re marketed as a healthy replacement item but some varieties contain twice the amount of fat and carbs as a chocolate brownie. Stay on the lookout for options that have less than 180 calories, less than 5 grams of fat, and provide at least 5 grams of fiber.
Dried Fruit
Dried fruit may seem like a healthy snack- and it is. The danger lies within the fact that it’s easy to go overboard on these tasty, convenient snacks. A cup of dried fruit can contain over 100 calories, and it’s easy to have a few hundred calories worth without even realizing it. Try sticking to fresh fruit. The water content will work better to fight hunger, and you’ll save calories!
So, next time you reach for a snack, you might want to think twice!