Have you ever wondered if the healthy foods you are consuming daily are really healthy? Here are some ‘healthy’ foods that health junkies like you love consuming. But they aren’t necessarily as healthy as you think… Stay clear and eat well!
1. Frozen Yogurt
Obsessed with FroYo? This yummy treat is full of healthy probiotics that support your digestive system. And yes, I said ‘treat’. It’s not a health food when manufacturers pack it with tons of sugar, preservatives and artificial colouring that can be worse than a candy bar.
Make your own FroYo instead! Here’s how you do it:
Mix a cup of plain yogurt, or Greek yogurt with one tablespoon of honey. Toss it into the freezer until it’s frozen solid. Remove and top it with fruits of your choice! Avoid add-ons like marshmallows, chocolate chips and hot fudge to minimise fat, sugar and calorie intake.
2. Preserved Fruits
Preserved fruits can be convenient – but are they nutritious? Most are loaded with sugar, salt and other preservatives that can be harmful to your body in the long term. They contain three times the calories of fresh fruits! Try drying your own fruits without adding additional sugar, or use fruits, i.e. figs, that don’t lose any of their nutrition when dried. When all else fails, just stick to the natural stuff!
3. Sushi
What is so bad about seafood and rice, right? Not so fast. Sushi rice has tons of sugar and salt added as flavouring. If you consume it with soy sauce, your salt intake is also increased.
Caution: one sushi roll contains 290 to 350 calories and is equivalent to three pieces of white bread. Goodness gracious!
4. Granola
This carb-loaded food tastes so insanely good because it is packed with large amounts of sugar and oil. Just a small amount will give you lots of trans fat – the worst type of fat you can ever consume. A good alternative is whole grain cereal, that is an excellent source of fibre, protein and healthy fats.
5. Energy Bars
Remember how Kalteen bars made Regina George gain weight like crazy? Your typical energy bars could do the same to you too. You might want to reconsider this convenient snack as it contains excessive calories and sugar! Unless you are a marathon runner or engaging in high-intensity activities, you don’t actually need it! You should consider other snacks: a medium apple with natural peanut butter, or four whole-grain crackers with low-fat cheese.
6. Sports Drinks
Sports drinks are perfect after a workout, right? However, if you’re just engaging in light activities, there’s absolutely no need for the sports drink! Don’t even think of consuming them as a casual beverage. A bottle contains about 9 teaspoons of sugar and tons of artificial sweeteners! Spare yourself the extra calories and stick to plain water or green tea that is rich in anti-oxidants and polyphenols.
Look past misleading food labels and choose real, whole foods to maintain a healthy diet. You are what you eat!
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