Food marketers are experts at creating a “health halo” around their products. They use buzzwords like “wholesome” and “natural” to make you feel good about your purchase. However, many of these seemingly healthy foods are secretly loaded with sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats. They are a form of junk food that is disguised as a nutritious choice. Here are seven popular foods that you think are healthy but actually are not.
1. Smoothies
A smoothie seems like a great way to get a quick dose of fruits and vegetables. However, the store-bought and chain restaurant versions are often “sugar bombs” in disguise. They can contain a huge amount of sugar from fruit juices, sweeteners, and flavored yogurts. A large smoothie can easily have more sugar than a can of soda. This can lead to a major blood sugar crash later in the day.
2. Turkey Burgers
Many people order a turkey burger thinking it is a leaner, healthier alternative to a beef burger. This is often not the case in a restaurant setting. To keep the naturally dry turkey meat moist and flavorful, chefs will often add a large amount of fat to the ground turkey mix. The final, cooked turkey burger can have just as much, or even more, fat and calories as a regular beef burger.
3. Most Veggie Burgers
A veggie burger seems like the ultimate healthy choice. However, many of the popular, mass-produced veggie burgers on the market are highly processed food products. They are often held together with a long list of artificial binders and fillers. They can also be very high in sodium. You should always read the ingredient list to make sure your veggie burger is actually made from vegetables.
4. Caesar Salads
A salad is supposed to be the definition of a healthy meal. However, a classic Caesar salad is a nutritional trap. The creamy dressing is loaded with fat and calories from the oil and egg yolks. The croutons are often fried and are a source of refined carbohydrates. The large amount of Parmesan cheese also adds a huge dose of sodium and fat to the dish.
5. Bran Muffins
The bran muffin has a reputation as a healthy, high-fiber breakfast option. In reality, the muffins you buy at a coffee shop or a grocery store are often just a cupcake without the frosting. They are frequently made with a huge amount of sugar and oil to make them moist and palatable. A single, large bran muffin can have more calories and sugar than a doughnut.
6. Sports Drinks
Sports drinks are marketed as a healthy way to rehydrate and replace electrolytes after a workout. However, for the average person who is not a professional athlete, these drinks are just another form of sugar water. Most popular sports drinks contain a huge amount of sugar and artificial colors. You are almost always better off just rehydrating with plain water.
7. Sushi Rolls
Sushi can be a very healthy meal. However, the modern, American-style sushi rolls are often not as healthy as they seem. The “spicy” and “crunchy” rolls are usually filled with a huge amount of mayonnaise-based sauces and fried tempura bits. The white rice is also a refined carbohydrate. The high-calorie sauces and the large amount of rice can quickly turn a light meal into a heavy one.
What Makes Food Healthy?
A “healthy” label does not always mean a food is truly nutritious. Many of our favorite foods have a “health halo” that is based on clever marketing, not on sound nutrition. The only way to know for sure what you are eating is to ignore the claims on the front of the menu. You must look at the actual ingredients and the nutritional information. True health comes from real, whole foods, not from a marketing gimmick.
What is the most misleading “healthy” food you have ever encountered? What are your tips for spotting these nutritional traps? Let us know!
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