It’s easy to be fooled by food marketing and popular health trends. Many ingredients that are often referred as “healthy” may not be as beneficial as they seem. Uncover 12 ingredients that you might have believed were healthy, but in reality, they might not be doing your body any favors.
Agave Nectar
While it’s often marketed as a natural sweetener, agave nectar is highly processed and contains more fructose than any other common sweetener, including high-fructose corn syrup.
Healthier alternative: Date Syrup, Pure Honey or Maple Syrup
Fruit Juice
Even 100% fruit juice can pack as much sugar as soda. It lacks the fiber of whole fruit, which can lead to spikes in blood sugar. Nutritionists recommend blending your fruit instead of juicing it to preserve the fiber; eating fruit together with some protein or healthy fats instead of drinking it helps control your glucose spikes.
Healthier alternative: Whole Fruits
Store-bought Granola
While granola can contain healthy ingredients like oats and nuts, it can also be high in sugar and calories. Most store-bought granola features ingredients such as chocolate chips and other sweeteners.
Alternative: Homemade Granola
Gluten-Free Processed Foods
Just because a food is gluten-free doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Many gluten-free snacks and baked goods are made with refined grains, no much fiber, and added sugars.
Alternative: Naturally gluten-free whole foods such as legumes, vegetables, protein, and whole grains
Diet Soda
Diet sodas are calorie-free, but they contain artificial sweeteners that can lead to weight gain and other health problems.
Alternative: Sparkling water
Low-Fat Yogurt
Low-fat yogurts often replace fat with added sugars. Taking the fat away from yogurts and replacing it with sugar or other sweeteners will only worsen your glucose levels. Healthy fats help regulate the insulin, improving the blood sugar levels.
Alternative: Opt for plain, full-fat yogurt, and add fruit for flavor.
Protein Bars
Many protein bars that are labeled as healthy or sports snacks are candy bars in disguise, with a high content of sugar and artificial ingredients.
Alternative: Opt for a handful of nuts, homemade nut butter, or a hard-boiled egg for protein.
Veggie Chips
While they might sound healthier than regular chips, veggie chips are often just potato chips with a tiny amount of vegetable powder for color. You may just as well enjoy your regular chips!
Alternative: Make your own veggie chips at home using kale or sweet potatoes
Instant Oatmeal
Instant oatmeal packets often contain added sugars and artificial flavors. Oats for breakfast is such a great way to start your day, but only if you do this properly. Choose old-fashioned oats instead, and prepare your oatmeal at home with unsweetened milk and fresh fruit.
Alternative: Old-fashioned oats
Sports Drinks
Unless you’re a professional athlete or exercising intensely for a long time, you probably don’t need the extra sugars and electrolytes in sports drinks. Some of these drinks contain 10 teaspoons of sugar per bottle. Crazy right?
Alternative: Plain or coconut water
“Multigrain” Foods
Just because a food is multigrain doesn’t mean it’s whole grain. Check the ingredients to make sure whole grains are listed first.
Alternative: 100% whole grain food.
Pre-made Smoothies
Store-bought or restaurant smoothies can be loaded with sugar and calories. It’s healthier to make your own at home with whole fruits and vegetables.
Alternative: Make your own smoothies.
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