America is a nation full of dieters. We are always trying to find new ways to eat healthier and lose unwanted weight. We go through fad diet after fad diet trying to lose a few stubborn pounds, and we listen to the unfulfilled promises of fast and easy weight loss from multiple brands. These brands have so many food options that we become easily confused on what is actually healthy and what is not.
Here are 10 foods we should not think so highly of when it comes to the word "healthy".
1. Specialty Diet Drinks
If you go through your local grocery store, you will find many "Nutrition Shakes" on the shelves. These Diet drinks promise to be a "healthy" substitute for meals while providing healthy amounts of vitamins, probiotics and fiber. However, if you take a look at the ingredients, these promises are unrealistic. Why? These drinks are loaded with added calories in the form of simple sugars or artificial sweetners (both of which aren't so great for you).
My tip to you is to think simple when it comes to drinks. Pick drinks with simple ingredients (water, tea, etc.). They are also much cheaper!
2. Premade Smoothies
Smoothies seem like a healthy substituete to soda, right? Well, sometimes that's the case, but other times not so much. Most premade smoothies are loaded in sugar and have large amounts of calories. And when you are looking to lose weight or become healthier, this is what you want to avoid.
3. Trail Mix
When we think of trail mix, we think of a healthy source of protein. Well, in some cases that is true, but there is one ingredient we need to look for - salt. Many brands of trail mixes contain an upt amount of sodium. Also, these trail mixes contain loads of candy-coated pieces and fried items. Two handfulls of these trail mixes and you are looking at 600 calories and a handfull of simple sugars, trans fat and refined carbohydrates.
However, for my trail mix lovers out there, there are simple, home-made trail mix recipes that allow for a much healthier snack. Ones consisting of just nuts, dark chocolate, and dried fruit are great substitutes!
4. Frozen Diet Entrees
Not only are they really small portions, but frozen entrees are jam-packed with sodium. Along with this, they lack in nutrients which defeats the purpose of a healthy meal.
5. Meal Replacement Bars
Meal bars and protein bars are basically a candy bar's cousin - just slightly better. They only provide fiber and/or protein, not much else. Just stick to an actual healthy meal or snack. You will be way better off.
6. Muffins
We like to think that muffins are better than a doughnut for breakfast, but in reality it is just the same if not worse. The average muffin has about 600 calories and they are pure sugar an
7. Frozen Yogurt
Many health-conscience people substitute ice cream with frozen think it's the better option to soothe their sweet tooth. When it comes to saturated fat, that is true; however, when it comes to calories and simple sugars, it is just the same. And that increases when we add all the fun toppings.
8. Fat-Free/Sugar-Free Sweets
When we see candy or cakes that say they are fat-free or sugar-free, we believe they are much better for us. But that isn't always the case. A nutritionist I know told me that labels that say "fat-free" and/or "sugar-free" are simply not true. Not to mention that they add other unhealthy ingredients to take place of the fat or sugar that is missing.
9. Granola
For most (but not all), a small handful of granola will have a large amount of trans fats, sugar, and calories. Both trans fat and sugar are known to cause an increase risk of heart attack and stroke. Also, portion size for granola is so small that we don't feel satisfied of the recommended amount.
10. Nut Butters
Many nut butters have large amounts of oil and additives, which eliminates the actual health benefits of nuts such as peanuts, walnuts and cashews. Although I would advise to stay away from these unhealthy versions, I would recommend buying nut butters that are made of 2 or fewer ingredients. Those are the best and healthiest.
