Unhealthy "Healthy" Foods to Avoid

Are making a conscious effort to eat healthier? Well, many people believe that they are making healthier options when choosing their food, when in reality some foods that seem healthy may be misleading. When “healthy” foods are produced with added sugars, and saturated fats they can actually be worse for you that if you were to opt to eat regular foods. Check out these 6 common “healthy” foods that may be deceiving you:

• Multi-grain and wheat bread: While many breads are advertised to be made with heart-healthy whole grains, some are made with refined grains or flour, which are not healthy for the body. You should read food labels carefully to ensure you are eating only unrefined ingredients.
• Premade salads:did you say salad? Yes. While if you make your own salad, you can control the ingredients, ordering a pre-made salad may sneak in a few ingredients high in hidden fats. Salads prepared with tuna, shrimp and chicken may contain ingredients like mayonnaise which can rack up the calorie count. Make your own salad, or be sure to pay attention to the calorie count and calories from fat.
• Energy/Granola bars: Many think that grabbing an energy bar is a healthier option for a snack. However, many don’t know that these packaged bars contain high fructose corn syrup, added sugar, and saturated fats, which are all unhealthy. You can make your own energy bars, or opt for another snack such as trail mix, or cheese and crackers.
• Smoothies: What could be unhealthy about fruits and vegetables? Well, smoothies that are made with blended fruit and low fat dairy may not be horrible for you, but when combined with added sugar, ice cream, or sherbet can really rack up the calories.
• Gluten free snacks: We’ve all heard that gluten free snacks are a healthier option to a candy bar, but did you know that gluten free products are often replace gluten with less-nutrient flours and fats. Instead, if you are trying to eat a gluten free diet, stick to naturally gluten-free produces like fruits and vegetables.
• Wraps: While many think that a sandwich on a wrap is healthier than bread, wraps often contain more saturated fat than regular whole-bread. Because wraps are also often made with refined flours and oils, they also contain less fiber and trans fats than if you were to eat your meal on bread.