These foods have sort of an urban legend status for being healthy. Dieticians say they’re just posers. Let’s unmask these fakers.
Unfrosted Pop-Tarts
Unfrosted Pop-Tarts have more calories than their frosted cousins!
You might avoid the frosted tarts because they are coated in that hard sugar topping.
Nutritionists reveal the unfrosted variety has thicker crusts, so they pack more fat and calories.
Fruit Snacks
Throw the word fruit in, and it MUST be better than candy, right? Not so fast.
A deeper dive into the ingredients list pulls up fruit juice concentrate toward the top. What you need to know is that whenever you see “fruit juice concentrate,” it translates to just plain sugar.
Pretzels
Pretzels got a major boost when we all decided we just wouldn’t eat fat. (We’ve since learned our bodies need fats, just not the oily saturated kind.) Fat-free pretzels beat out everything else on the chip aisle. Unfortunately, the refined flour and high salt content make them bad for you (dieticians say just as bad as fatty foods.)
Fruit Juice
If you’re not juicing fresh fruit and drinking it immediately, you might as well get out the sugar bowl and a spoon.
Bottled juices don’t have the vitamins and minerals that whole fruits and vegetables have.
Plus, many bottled fruit juices have about 30 grams of sugar. That’s nearly eight teaspoons full! Cola packs ten teaspoons per serving, so you can see how your favorite bottle of juice may betray you.
Movie Theater Popcorn
Light and airy and full of fiber? If done right in your air popper at home.
Get a box at the movie theater, and it will be popped in cheap oil with high sat fat content. Slather on that butter topping and lots of salt to make it completely unhealthy for your poor heart!
Flavored Yogurt
Yogurts that are sweetened and have added flavors generally have around 30 grams of sugar. That’s about the same amount of sugar you’d get indulging in a Butterfinger candy bar.
Vitamin Water
You’re not doing yourself any favors by turning to bottled Vitamin Water for your daily dose of water and vitamins, even though they’re both listed right there in the name.
It is water, but in addition to some vitamins, you’re getting unnecessary food coloring and added sugar. You are better off swallowing a high-quality multivitamin with plain water. If you want to get all fancy, squeeze in some fresh lemon juice.
Canned Soup
Such a healthy and wholesome choice! Except for all the canned soups that are nutritional nightmares!
Campbell’s Creamy Chicken Noodle soup is 210 calories for a one-cup serving (that’s only half the can), a third of the saturated fat you should have in one day, and one measly gram of fiber.
Campbell’s has a healthier line of soups called “Well Yes!” The Roasted Chicken and Vegetable soup is just 90 calories per serving, with no saturated fat and seven grams of protein.
Bran Muffins
We’re talking about the bran muffins you’ll find at Starbucks or other coffee shops. Starbucks Raisin Bran Muffins are 320 calories! Twelve grams of fat and 53 grams of carbs.
Homemade bran muffins that are actually a healthy breakfast option will stay below 200 calories (they’ll also be crumbly and almost tasteless)
Flavored Oatmeal
Say yes to whole oats and no to additives. The base ingredient… oatmeal… is one of the healthiest foods you can include in a well-rounded diet. The problem comes when a bunch of sugar is added, so you’ll eat it. You’re getting into sugary cereal territory at that point. Try mixing in bananas or berries for sweetness.
Sushi
The good news:
The fish used in sushi is usually the highest quality available, and the portions are small.
The bad news:
Once the fish is wrapped in white rice, layered with cream cheese, and dunked in soy sauce, the carbs, fats, and salt content rockets way past healthy levels.
Meatless Burgers
It’s made of plants! Turns out that does not equal healthy.
The nutritional downfall of most meatless burgers is that they are highly processed and usually high in both salt and saturated fat.
Veggie burgers that are made of real vegetables with high-quality grains are a better option if you’re trying to avoid meat.
Granola Bars
If we’re honest, we never really liked them to begin with. Usually, to be tasty, granola bars need a lot of sugar, maybe some chocolate chips, and throw in some marshmallows. At that point, you have junk food. If you’re committed to your granola bars on the go, make sure the ones you pick have fiber and less than six grams of sugar per serving.
A good rule of thumb is generally: The more processing or added ingredients manufacturers use to make a food item, the less likely it is to qualify as a healthy food.
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