Top 10 Unhealthy Health Foods
#1: Diet Soda – You already know diet soda isn’t good for you, but just how bad is it? Artificial sweeteners, combined with artificial flavors and colors in a carbonated beverage is a recipe for disaster. Diet soda is nothing but water and chemicals. Some of these chemicals are known to cause cancer. Choose water with a twist of lemon instead.
#2: Bran Muffins – Beware of portion size. Many bran muffins are huge and pack in a ton of fat, calories and sugar, leading to a late-morning energy crash. Even Starbucks’ popular and relatively healthier Apple Bran Muffin has 350 calories and 9 grams of fat, which still won’t be any major help in keeping your waistline trim. It might be a good idea to avoid muffins altogether. Instead, consider a bowl of bran cereal and small serving of fresh fruit.
#3: Frozen Yogurt – Don’t be fooled. This soft-serve treat may be low in fat, but it’s high in sugar. Just 8 oz of your favorite frozen yogurt can easily contain over 50 grams of sugar and 240 calories or more. Sprinkle with yogurt chips and that’s another 20 grams of sugar and 140 more calories. You could end up with more sugar than a can of soda and some candy bars combined.
#4: Granola Bars – Check the fine print. Granola bars may seem like a healthy alternative to cookies and candy bars but they can actually have significantly more calories. Most granola bars are loaded with sugar and fat. One serving ofNatureValley’s Roasted Almond Crunch granola bar has 8 grams of fat and 11 grams of sugar.
#5: Fruit Juice – Try eating whole fruit. Some fruit juices contain so much sugar you might as well be drinking pop. Just because the packaging says “contains real fruit juice” doesn’t mean the beverage inside is good for you. Eat whole fruit instead and you’ll get tons more antioxidants and fiber, without the insulin spike and crash you get from juice.
#6: Salad – Salads aren’t a health food once you pile on the toppings. Many restaurant salads are packed with add-ins, such as cheese, bacon bits, creamy dressings, and croutons. With added toppings and dressing a salad is a waist-expander, rather than a low-fat lunch. Having lunch at TGI Friday’s. Their Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad has 1760mg of sodium, 36 grams of fat (including 70% of your daily intake of saturated fat) and 590 calories. You would have been better off ordering their Prime Rib Stroganoff if you’re watching your weight with half the sodium, a third the fat and only 390 calories.
#7: Smoothies – Make your own. Most smoothies are not diet friendly unless you make it yourself at home. The average large smoothie contains a whopping 520 calories and 100 grams of sugar. Choosing a smoothie for lunch may seem like the lighter option, but the truth is you’ll get lots more energy from a whole sandwich and vegetables, plus you’ll get fewer calories and less sugar.
#8: Instant Oatmeal / Boxed Cereal – Watch out for additives. The flavored packets of instant oatmeal generally have less protein and fiber, and more sugar, salt, and additives. Boxed cereal may brag about the vitamins and minerals it contains, but a closer look will reveal 10 grams of sugar. Try whole grain oatmeal or shredded wheat for a healthier alternative.
#9: Fat Free or Low-Fat Salad Dressing – Try a small portion on the side. Drenching your veggies with a dressing labeled fat-free means adding more calories and sodium to your meal. The fat in low-fat dressing has been replaced with sugar or artificial flavors and sweeteners. Try substituting with a dressing made with olive oil, or just use olive oil and vinegar.
#10: Frozen Diet Meals – Don’t be deceived. Most of the health benefits from frozen diet meals come from the small portion size. While low in fat, the majority of frozen dinners are high in salt. For a healthier option try preparing batches of food ahead of time and freezing them in small containers. You’ll have a quick and easy meal, without the salt and additives.



















