Foods that Pretend to Be healthy but are Really Not

Although eating 100% healthy in the modern world seems like an impossible feat, we want to be sure that the product we consume is good for our bodies. Studies indicate that more than 51% of millennials are on the lookout for healthy foods. Moreover, 61% admit that looking for healthy choices is moderately difficult. It just so happens, there are foods that masquerade as healthy meals but are not. Today, we are going to expose the pretenders claiming to be healthy products.

Banana chips are one of the sweetest snacks in the market. Since they are made from banana, they are rich in potassium, iron, fiber, and magnesium. However, this snack is not 100% healthy. Manufacturers deep-fry the banana slices to make them crunchy. Also, they add sugar and flavor enhancers to make them sweeter. The saturated fat increases the risk of higher cholesterol levels, whereas the sugars increase the risk of diabetes type 2. Instead of buying banana chips, make some from home by air-drying banana slices or using your oven.

Crispbread is another “healthy snack” that we love to consume. Supermarkets offer us a variety of this fiber-rich snack. On the downside, however, some of the brands in the market are made from harmful oils. It would help if you prepared your crispbread at home. You will need whole grain or coarse whole wheat flour to do this. Still, if you must buy your crispbread, be sure to read the composition carefully. Avoid crispbread that contains yeast, modified starch, preservatives, antioxidants, or dyes.

The gluten-free products in the market are not healthy. Gluten appears in grains and is what makes wheat mix well with water. Gluten is harmful to gluten-intolerant people. Such people only make up 1% of the population of the world. For the rest of us, it is advisable to avoid foods with gluten. The gluten-free foods are worse as they contain other harmful ingredients, such as refined additives. Instead, consider replacing gluten-free products with simple bread. Just don’t overeat bread either.

Dried and candied fruits are not 100% healthy. The issue is the preservatives used to keep them edible. What’s worse, some manufacturers add sugar to make them sweeter. Just do yourself a favor and make dried fruits from home. This snack is easy to make and healthier compared to the manufactured ones.

Processed cheese contains additives that tarnish their values. Furthermore, this product is rich in sodium, which is a significant contributor to heart disease, kidney failure, stomach cancer, and many more. It would be best if you considered replacing processed food with salted cottage cheese.

Canned fruits and vegetables are not as healthy as their organic counterparts. This is because producers add ingredients such as barbeque sauce, vinegar, and other unhealthy stuff. Nutrition expert Nicole Rodriguez reported that a can of beans contains 3% sugar. It would help if you considered replacing this product by opting for freshly canned vegetables. Freshly canned options lack the preservatives, salt, and sugar contained in the processed types. Alternatively, you can make your own.

Starchy vegetables such as corn, potatoes, pumpkins, and yams are also not 100% healthy. Their fiber, vitamin, and mineral content are less compared to other vegetables. Moreover, their caloric value is high. This doesn’t mean that you should stop eating them altogether. Instead, replace them with non-starchy vegetables such as baby corn, bean sprouts, Amaranth, and many more. This is especially important if you eat your starchy vegetables after 6p.m.

Yogurt from the store is unhealthy. Such yogurts tend to be rich in sugars and have little protein content. Moreover, store yogurt is more liquid than chewy with unnecessary ingredients. You should consider replacing store-bought yogurt with yogurts that have low sugar content (sugar should not exceed 10g per portion). The yogurt should also be high in protein (about 6g of protein per portion). Alternatively, you can buy Greek yogurt and put your preferred fruits.

Instant oatmeal is fiber-rich and high for our bodies. However, this product is not 100% healthy. Manufacturers refine oatmeal to make the flakes smaller so that they are faster for you to prepare. As a consequence, the processing process makes them lose their nutritional value, making them only rich in calories. Furthermore, manufacturers add additives and sweeteners, which make the product even more unhealthy. It would be best if you replaced instant oatmeal with coarsely ground oats. Although coarsely ground oats take longer to boil, they will give you all the health benefits you expect from cereal.