Many of us today are looking to live healthier and more balanced lives. Gone are the days of living off fast food and pre-packaged convenience meals. Choosing more nutritious food options can be a struggle at first. Eventually, you will make better choices, but it takes time and research. As someone starting their health journey, there are a few health foods that are not healthy to be aware of. Skipping these food items on your next trip to the grocery is highly advisable.
1. Granola and Granola Bars
Many of us think granola and granola bars are quick and healthy snack options, but they are high on the list of foods to avoid. Store-bought granola and granola bars contain a lot of hidden sugar to make them palatable. While they can contain fiber, added sugar is too much for store-bought granola to be considered good for you. Unfortunately, it is one of the most processed foods in disguise. Read the list of ingredients first before adding them to your carts.
2. Protein Bars and Drinks
Everyone now is talking about increasing their protein intake when discussing what to eat for health. While that is accurate, not all protein sources are good for you. Protein bars and drinks are a convenient way to reach your daily protein goals, but be aware of deceptive food labels. Many protein bars contain unhealthy ingredients that can affect your gut and overall health. Before buying an entire box of bars and drinks, do more research to find which ones are healthy, and which ones are just junk.
3. Flavored Yogurt
Yogurt is a go-to in many healthy eating tips for beginners, but not all yogurts are good for you. Plain Greek yogurt is an excellent option if you’re looking for healthy food, but stay clear of flavored yogurts. These are misleading health foods that are full of hidden sugar in food. It is one of the most common healthy food myths that all yogurt is good. Unlearn this myth, and your health will thank you.
4. Sports Drinks
Staying hydrated and replenishing lost electrolytes after a gym session is a must. However, one of the most ignored nutrition misconceptions is the consumption of sports drinks. If you’ve been relying on sports drinks for hydration, it’s time to put down the bottle. Some brands contain a shocking amount of added sugar, up to 34 grams per bottle. Next time, drink water with a small pinch of salt after your workout.
5. Gummy Fruit-Snacks
Adding fruit to your diet is a great way to get additional vitamins. However, one of the most common health foods that are not healthy is the infamous gummy fruit snacks. While the labels may say that they contain real fruit juice, they probably contain more sugar and other food additives than actual fruit. Stick to eating real whole fruits instead of choosing these unhealthy snacks. Freeze or place them in the fridge first to make them more enjoyable.
6. Veggie Snacks and Chips
No, we’re not talking about vegetables you cut and prepare at home. We’re talking about any store-bought chips that are labeled as “veggie.” Chances are these are misleading health foods where the main ingredient is still flour, and they only contain 2% vegetables. Even worse, these veggie snacks and chips are fried in oil and mixed with other unhealthy ingredients. It’s just another one of those processed foods in disguise you should avoid.
7. Gluten-Free Snacks
If you don’t have a gluten intolerance, gluten is not the enemy. Many people read healthy eating tips that tell them to go gluten-free. This is yet another one of those nutrition misconceptions that we should forget about. Many gluten-free snack options may be just as sweet and more calorie-dense as their gluten counterparts. Companies compensate for removing gluten by adding other unnecessary, sometimes harmful ingredients. Studies have shown that gluten-free foods are less nutritious and more expensive!
8. Some Fat-Free and Low Fat Options
Another type of food that has been vilified is fat. The fat-free craze started in the 70s, and people still believe this is one of the most popular myths about healthy food. To set the record straight, not all low-fat and fat-free options are good for you. Some manufacturers use hidden sugar in food to make fat-free options more palatable. Plus, fat is a macronutrient our bodies need to function properly. Other essential nutrients are also missing from your food source by removing fat. The next time you’re looking out for health foods that are not healthy, you know to skip fat-free and low-fat options.
9. Cereal for Breakfast
Breakfast cereal is a staple in the average American household, so it should be healthy, right? Starting your day with a bowl of refined sugar and carbohydrates is less than optimal. While some cereals advertise they are good for you, the added sugar content says otherwise. Deceptive food labels will market cereal as the best breakfast option, but it’s not. It is best to opt for less-processed options such as muesli or high-fiber, no-sugar-added bran cereals.
10. Store-Bought Smoothies
Grabbing a smoothie from the grocery store sounds like a quick and healthy pick-me-up snack. However, a bottle of store-bought smoothie is one of those processed foods in disguise. Shops will add sugars and other food additives to make smoothies more appealing and shelf-stable. You end up with added sugar and unknown ingredients instead of a healthy smoothie for your daily diet. You are better off making smoothies at home and taking it on the go. This way you know exactly what goes in your body.
Warning: Health Foods That Are Not Healthy are Everywhere!
Nutrition misconceptions are everywhere. Mistaking a granola bar for a healthy snack is easy if you don’t read the nutrition label. While it takes time and practice to know what to eat for health, you’ll master the art of avoiding unhealthy snacks eventually. Your health journey starts with saying no to processed foods in disguise.