With the number of health foods on the market today, a lot of us are trying to make more health-conscious choices about what we put into our bodies. What many of us don’t know, however, is that words like “fat free” and “natural” don’t always mean healthy. In fact, many so-called health foods can be as unhealthy as the junk food we’re trying to avoid. Listed below are some foods often believed to be better choices but, upon further investigation, are revealed as really no healthier than a pack of snack cakes or an order of fries.
“Health” drinks: With so many on the market today, some filled with added vitamins, probiotics and fiber, how do you choose? Look at the ingredient list. If it has more than two ingredients, you may want to skip it. Any drink with added ingredients is likely to have added calories in the form of simple sugars. And if it’s sweet but lacks calories, then it’s made with artificial sweeteners, which aren’t great for the waistline, either. Recent studies link artificial sweeteners with vascular events and even increases in metabolic syndrome.
Trail mix: Trail mix may provide us with a quick snack, but it also gifts our bodies a lot of calories. Healthy trail mix is possible (those with nuts, dried apricots and a bit of dark chocolate), but not those packed with candy pieces, yogurt-covered raisins, or deep-fried banana chips. These are chock-full of simple sugars, calories and trans fats.
When it’s naked, granola is healthy. However, food manufacturers coat it with unnecessary oils, added sugars and sometimes even candy. With most granola, though not all, a tiny amount can give you a large dose of trans fats and sugar, both of which have been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Plus, the serving size portions are so small that it’s tempting to re-fill the bowl over and over until you’re satisfied. Be smart and read the ingredient list and always practice portion control.
Frozen diet entrees: They may seem healthier due to the lower calorie count, but frozen diet entrees are loaded with sodium (not good for those with high blood pressure), high in preservatives and low in nutrients (e.g., refined grains instead of whole grains).
Frozen yogurt/yogurt: Yogurt, whether frozen or not, seems a healthier choice than ice cream. However, in terms of calories and simple sugars, the two foods are not much different at all. Load it up with toppings and you may as well opt for ice cream.
The trick to truly eating healthy is in the labels. Read everything, especially the ingredient list. Look for things like sugar, high fructose corn syrup and fructose, and be sure to see how much saturated fat is in the product. Remember, fat-free doesn’t mean calorie-free. Sugar simply replaces the fat, which still gives you a high number of calories.
Liberty mom and author Gina Klein admits that she is an avid label reader when it comes to purchasing healthy food for her family.