To many, it's a part of common
knowledge as to what it considered a healthy food and what isn't. For
example, burgers and fries will always be bad for you, while fruits and
vegetables will always be healthy. Following that train of thought,
there is a list of common foods that many people consider healthy.
However, with just a little bit of research and simply reading the
nutrition labels, you'll discover that there are a lot of supposedly
healthy foods out there that actually aren't. While most of these foods
won't completely ruin your diet, they should be eaten in moderation and
shouldn't be taken so lightly.
1. Sushi
Traditional Japanese sushi
made of rice, raw fish and seaweed can be considered healthy. However,
when you start eating a Westernized version, like the popular
Philadelphia Roll, that nutrition value goes flying out the window.
Cream cheese, sweet sauce, mayonnaise and fried batter are just a few
examples of how these calorie-busting ingredients can turn this healthy
food into something that isn't healthy at all. Oh, and if you really
want to maximize the health benefits of sushi, you should skip the rice
and it the raw fish by itself as sashimi instead.
2. Energy Bars
As a meal supplement, an energy bar every so often can be a good
alternative to not eating anything at all. Skipping or missing a meal
can ruin your caloric intake for the day because it can lead to binge
eating later. An energy bar is perfect for keeping you satisfied while
providing you with the carbohydrates, protein and calories to keep you
fueled. However, many people consume energy bars as a snack, making this
healthy food, not so healthy. At that point, you might as well have a
chocolate candy bar instead.
3. Granola
Granola is well-known as a healthy snack, topping or ingredient.
People just love grabbing a quick and convenient granola bar to satisfy
their hunger between meals. While all those oats and fibers do, indeed,
sound nutritious, a quick look at most nutrition labels will shock you.
Many granola bars and cereals come with added sugar and calories to keep
them sweet and flavorful. The fact that granola is touted as a health
snack, plus the added taste from all that extra sugar, keeps customers
reaching for more, completely unaware of how many calories they are
consuming. Before you buy this "healthy" food, make sure you properly
read the label beforehand, and choose the low-calorie, low-sugar and
high-fiber variety.
4. Salads
Salads are great when substituted for a full meal, or to help you get
full so that you eat less of the main course. However, restaurants are
great at destroying a healthy food and turning it into a caloric
nightmare. Fatty salad dressings,
croutons, cheese and a heavy helping of meat can make a salad no
different than eating a full-size meal. If your salad comes with a
breaded chicken breast, it is no longer a salad; it is a breaded chicken
breast with a side of lettuce.
5. Smoothies
With all those fruits, health supplements and even veggies, in some cases, a smoothie
sounds like a healthy treat. Unfortunately, the addition of sugar and
fatty yogurt can turn most of these healthy beverages into something
that resembles a milkshake. A good rule of thumb: The sweeter it tastes,
the unhealthier the smoothie is.
6. Bran Muffins
Most people know that a good helping of bran for breakfast in the
morning is a healthy way to start the day, but a bran muffin does not
count. The bran you should be eating typically comes from a cereal box
with skim milk and maybe a side of fresh fruit. A bran muffin, on the
other hand, is loaded with sugars and refined flour, which are two
things your body doesn't need that early in the morning.
7. Pretzels
Pretzels are often viewed as a healthier alternative to potato chips.
While this is probably true since they are baked and not fried, and
tend to have fewer calories, they aren't exactly healthy. That's right,
being healthier than potato chips does not actually make them healthy.
Most pretzels offer no nutritional value, and will only provide you with
a helping of sodium, calories and fat that your body does not need.
8. Iced Tea
In an effort to avoid sugar soft-drinks, many people will recommend
iced tea, instead. However, most people often overlook the fact that
many iced tea drinks have just as much sugar as most sodas.
Fruit-flavored iced teas and sweet tea, in general, are loaded with
sugar and calories. If you want a healthy iced tea, make sure you are
drinking the unsweetened variety.
9. Dried Fruit
Many people are quick to assume that dried fruit, in any form, is
virtually the same thing as eating a whole fruit. In reality, these
snacks aren't so bad, but what destroys their nutritional value is all
the added sugar the manufacturer includes during production. So, enjoy
your raisins, just be mindful that you would be better off eating a
bunch of grapes, instead.
10. Water
Yes, even water can be considered unhealthy, that is, when you get
the flavored variety. Waters with added flavors and vitamins can reach
calorie levels that are dangerously close to soft-drinks and juices.
This defeats the purpose of drinking water all-together. To stay on the
safe and healthy side, just have a slice of lemon with your water if you
want some flavor.
