Some foods might look healthy at first glance, but they're not as good for you as you might think. From salads drenched in dressing to deceptive snacks labeled "low-fat," these popular choices can be tricky. Here are 10 foods that are often considered healthy but may not be the best choice if you're trying to eat well.
AUTHOR: Stephanie Allen
Table of Contents
1. Air Fried Foods
The process of air frying foods is much better for the body than deep frying. That part is undisputed. The issue is with the types of foods that are cooking in the air fryer. Suppose you're air-frying things like breaded mozzarella sticks, breaded chicken tenders, and buffalo wings. In that case, you'll save some calories, and the fat intake will be less, but not enough for them to qualify as healthy foods.
2. Reduced Sodium Items
Consumers may think the labels "low sodium" and "reduced sodium" mean the same thing, but they don't. And that distinction makes one healthier than the other. Low sodium products, the more beneficial the two, contain 140 milligrams or less of sodium per serving. Reduced sodium means the product contains at least 25 percent less than it usually does, which means it could still have a lot of sodium. Be aware of this difference when grocery shopping.
3. Sweet Potato Fries
French fries are fantastic, but the deep-fried potato side dish isn't healthy. Consumers began to believe that sweet potato fries were much better for them than their white potato counterparts. In reality, sweet potato fries are somewhat higher in carbohydrates and calories but have plenty of vitamin A. The preparation of sweet potato fries makes all the difference: as long as they're not deep-fried but baked, you're good to go.
4. Butter Substitutes
It's commonly thought that pure butter is terrible for the heart. Butter substitutes are supposed to provide the taste of butter without all of the health risks. Not all of them are as healthy as they claim to be, so it's essential to read the labels and compare products. Some butter substitutes, especially the ones in tubs, contain other unhealthy oils.
5. Nutella
When the chocolate and hazelnut spread was gaining in popularity in the U.S., its marketing gave the impression that it was a wholesome, healthful alternative to traditional breakfast foods. When consumers found that Nutella was full of processed sugars and calories, its manufacturer faced a class-action lawsuit that it settled. Nutella tastes good, but it's not exactly a health food.
6. Veggie Chips and Straws
If you believe eating veggie chips and straws offers health benefits that gold old potato chips don't, you're not alone. The word "veggie" in the name gives the impression that they are a healthy food when, in reality, they are almost on par with potato chips. Snacking on natural vegetables like carrots and celery is a better option.
7. Subway Sandwich
The Subway sandwich chain became highly successful in part because of its marketing as not only a health food freshly made to order but as a weight loss remedy. Using a testimonial in their commercials from someone who lost weight eating their food, it was easy to fall for Subway's hype. While some sandwiches on the menu are undoubtedly healthy, others aren't, so choose wisely when eating there.
8. Salads
Salads can offer many health benefits and are the go-to food for reducing daily calorie intake. The problem with salads is the additions and dressings. Salads can be low-calorie with plenty of vegetables, but if they come with breaded pieces of chicken, pieces of processed deli meats and cheeses, and heavy dressings like ranch and blue cheese, the cholesterol and calories can add up fast. Keep the salads simple and keep the dressings light and clear to realize their full health benefits.
9. Peanut Butter
In case you didn't know, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a more nutritious food offering than eating a bag of peanut butter cup candy. Peanut butter isn't necessarily bad for you, but only when eaten in moderation. It is high in fat and calories, but it is an excellent source of niacin, magnesium, vitamin E, and manganese.
10. Reduced Fat Foods
Just as you must be careful with food labels that say "reduced sodium," you must also exercise caution with foods labeled "reduced fat." They are not the same as "fat-free" or "low-fat." Reduced fat products contain at least 25 percent less fat than the regular version. Low-fat means the item has three grams of fat or fewer per serving. Fat-free means the food has less than half a gram of fat per serving. Reduced fat isn't always what it seems, so check those labels!
Source: Reddit.
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