Navigating the grocery aisles in hunt of nutritional foods has come decreasingly complex as an decreasingly large number of so- called healthy products fill the shelves.
Companies frequently use wording on product markers and in their marketing to appeal to guests who are trying to make healthier choices. You might see claims on markers like
low fat
vegan
gluten-free
low carb
Unfortunately, just because a food uses words like these on its marker or is generally allowed
of as healthier than other foods does n’t mean it’s good for you.
Then are 14 foods that may not be as healthy as their marketing claims make them out to be.
Nataša Mandić/ Stocksy United
1. Granola and granola bars
People have supported granola and granola bars as “ healthy ” foods for decades.
Indeed though some granolas and granola bars are relatively nutritional, numerous are packed with added sugar and veritably high in calories.
For illustration, a 2/ 3- mug( 67- gram) serving of Nature Valley Oats and Dark Chocolate Protein Granola contains 7 grams of added sugar and 290 calories, while Quaker Chewy Yogurt Granola Bars pack 10 grams of added sugar per bar( 1, 2).
The recommended Daily Value( DV) for sugar is 50 grams for a person who consumes 2,000 calories per day, according to the Food and Drug Administration( 3Trusted Source).
For optimal health, it’s stylish to limit your added sugar input as much as possible, as consuming too important added sugar can contribute to an increased threat of numerous health conditions in both grown-ups and kiddies.
These health conditions include( 4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source)
rotundity
adipose liver
heart complaint
rather of buying premade granola at the store, try making your own granola and granola bars at home. You can use nutritional constituents like nuts and oats and add agreeableness with dried fruit.
2. seasoned yogurts
Yogurt can be a healthy choice, but it’s stylish to conclude for thin yogurt whenever possible.
seasoned and “ fruit on the bottom ” yogurts can contain a surprising quantum of sugar in just a small serving.
For illustration, a5.3- ounce( 150- gram) vessel of Dannon Strawberry Fruit on the Bottom yogurt contains a hefty 15 grams of added sugar. Yogurts that have delicacy condiments and “ flip- style ” yogurts can have indeed further( 8).
rather of choosing candied yogurt, try beating thin yogurt with fresh fruit for a bit of natural agreeableness.
3. Protein drinks and bars
numerous people are under the print that the advanced the protein content of a food or libation, the healthier it is.
Some foods that are naturally high in protein, like fish, eggs, and sap, are without a mistrustfulness healthy choices. still, particulars like protein bars and protein shakes may not be as healthy as some people assume.
numerous healthy people who consume balanced diets do n’t need to get redundant protein through supplements. nonetheless, active individualities and those who follow submissive and vegan diets may profit from further protein in their diets.
still, you may be suitable to get this by eating further protein-rich foods, If you do need redundant protein. As similar, for numerous people, eating supplemental protein products like bars and drinks may not be necessary to stay healthy( 9Trusted Source).
Plus, numerous of these particulars are loaded with added sugar and gratuitous constituents, like
artificial sweeteners
artificial colors
canvases
thickeners
4. Sports drinks and energy potables
Viktor Solomin/ Stocksy United
While companies vend sports drinks and energy potables as ways to boost energy and athletic performance, these potables are gratuitous for utmost people.
They can also be high in constituents like added sugar, artificial colors, and large quantities of instigations, similar as caffeine.
While some athletes do need to replenish lost nutrients with sports drinks after violent exercise, utmost people who perform moderate exercise or just normal diurnal exertion don’t need to chug sports drinks to stay doused .
numerous sports potables contain a shocking quantum of sugar. For illustration, a 20- ounce( 591- mL) bottle of Fruit Punch Gatorade contains 34 grams of added sugar( 10).
Likewise, energy drinks can be extremely high in added sugar. The popular Monster Energy drink contains 54 grams per 16- ounce( 473- mL) can. That’s advanced than the DV for added sugar( 3Trusted Source, 11).
These potables are heavily retailed toward children and adolescents, which is intimidating because experimenters have linked drinking candied potables with health issues, including high blood pressure, adipose liver, and rotundity, in kiddies and teens( 12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source).
5. Gluten-free snack foods
For people with gluten- related diseases, avoiding gluten is necessary.
still, indeed if a food is labeled as gluten-free, it’s not inescapably healthier than gluten- containing foods.
Some reused gluten-free snack foods and sweets contain just as much, if not further, calories and added sugar as other snacks.
also, studies show that gluten-free snack foods and other gluten-free particulars tend to be lower in protein, fiber, and certain vitamins and minerals than their gluten- containing counterparts. They ’re also generally more precious( 16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source).
6. Some low fat and fat-free products
Just because a food is low in fat does n’t mean it’s a healthier choice.
Food manufacturers frequently replace fat with sugar in low fat and fat-free products to make up for the flavor loss( 18Trusted Source).
What’s more, fat-free products may be less filling than their full fat performances because fat is a macronutrient that supports passions of wholeness and makes food more enjoyable to eat( 19Trusted Source).
Fats are an essential part of your diet and eating nutritional high fat foods can help you reap their benefits.
7. Breakfast cereal
numerous people assume that breakfast cereals are a smart way to start their day. still, this is n’t always the case.
In fact, numerous breakfast cereals are made with refined grains, warrant filling nutrients like protein and fiber, and can be veritably high in added sugar. Indeed cereals retailed toward grown-ups can be packed with added sugar.
Honey Nut Cheerios, which is retailed as “ heart healthy, ” contains 12 grams of added sugar per mug. Eating large quantities of cereal like this one, particularly as part of a diet that’s formerly high in added sugar, does n’t promote heart health( 20).
In fact, diets high in added sugar probably have the contrary effect. Studies have linked high sugar diets to an increased threat of heart complaint and heart complaint threat factors, including high blood pressure and triglyceride situations( 21Trusted Source, 22Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source).
