Sometimes, we think we’re making all the right food choices, but really, those so-called healthy snacks are secretly adding inches to your waistline. Here are five sugar-laden foods that are advertised and labeled as healthy but are actually doing you more harm than good.
1. Bagels
While bagels may seem like a perfect choice for those mornings when you’re on the go, these nutritional facts will have you rethinking that choice. The average bagel contains around 294 calories and 58 grams of carbohydrates. Oh my! But, that doesn’t mean you have to completely swear off bagels for good. Choose smaller bagels or eat only half and pair it with fresh fruit for a healthier breakfast.
2. Fruit in other forms
All fruits are naturally high in sugar, but other forms, such as dried fruit and fruit juice have twice the amount. For instance, a handful of dried cranberries contains about 18 grams of sugar compared to a small orange, which only contains 9 grams of sugar. Fruit juices are just as bad. An 8-ounce glass of juice contains 24 grams of sugar minus the nutrients. Go with whole fruit whenever you can.
3. Sports drinks
Sports drinks are important for those of us who exercise because it helps to restore the fluids and electrolytes that you lose during an intense work out, but they’re also loaded with sugar. Unless your workouts last longer than an hour, water is the best choice.
4. “Power” bars
We hate to break it to you, but a large portion of those energy, fiber and protein bars are just glorified candy bars! If you’re looking for something that’s really going to fill you up for hours, have a cup of raspberries and blackberries with a side of cottage cheese or Greek yogurt instead.
5. Trail mix
Tasty, yes. Healthy, no. Don’t get me wrong; some trail mixes can be delicious and nutritious, but only if they’re made with nuts and small portions of dark chocolate and real dried fruits. The reality is most trail mixes are loaded with M&M’s, chocolate chips, sugar-coated raisins, and banana chips. A single handful contains at least 300 calories! Opt for a handful of unsalted cashews or almonds instead.
So, what does all this mean? It means that you should really check the label when you have a chance and you might find that burger you thought was bad for you may be a bit better than that “healthy” meal.
