30 'Healthy' Foods That Are Junk Food In Disguise

Nov 12, 2018

Are you eating healthy foods that actually aren't that good for you? Many so-called healthy foods are actually so bereft of nutrients that health-conscious people would never consume.

Walk down the aisles of a grocery store and you will see shelves filled with "healthy" foods. You may find some of them have infiltrated your pantry shelves. Unfortunately, many of them are junk food in disguise.

Here are 30 so-called healthy foods you need to avoid.

These packets of flavorful goodness actually contain a ton of sugar and sodium.

Most pasta that contain vegetables actually are nutritionally the same as regular pasta.

Pretzels are made out of refined flour and have no nutritional advantages over other snack foods.

The problem with any deep-fried food is the saturated fat they are cooked in more than the main ingredient on the package.

Commercially made smoothies often use fruit juice as their base. Juice adds tons of sugar and calories to the smoothie, with some offering as many as 1000 calories and 100 grams of added sugar.

The reduced-fat version of peanut butter has almost the same amount of calories as regular peanut butter. The difference is that it has more sugars than fat calories.

"Diet" frozen meals often lack vegetables which leaves you hungry and starving for more. Plus, they contain far too much sodium.

While beef jerky can give you a boost of protein on a busy day, it also gives you an overload of salt in the process. Turkey jerky can be a less-sodium intense alternative.

The vegetarian friendly products in the freezer case are often not that healthy. They contain processed soy protein, caramel coloring, xanthum gum, and other nutritionally poor choices.

A dressing that is fat free will be filled with extra sugars to make up for the loss of the fats. Plus, the lack of fat will make absorbing the fat-soluble vitamins in the salad greens difficult.

The pre-bottled coffee and tea you find at the convenience store often come with hidden extras like sugar or sugar substitutes. It is easy to get extra empty calories without realizing it.

You do get about half the calories and fat when you use a light mayo compared to a regular version. However, you are also going to get additional sugar and additives.

Regular cheese is packed with protein and calcium. Many avoid it however due it its high level of saturated fat. Fat-free is not a good substitute however because it lacks the flavor and body of the regular version.

Swapping out a sugary soda for a sugar-free version sounds like a good trade. However, the sugar substitutes in diet soda can cause bloating, increase your risk of osteoporosis, and might even trigger Type 2 diabetes.

A bowl filled with granola, fruit, and coconut sounds so nutritious. The problem is the amount of natural sugars makes it more like a heavy dessert than a healthy breakfast.

A protein bar is marketed as a healthy meal substitute. The problem is each bar is packed with sugars, excess fats, artificial colors, and flavors. They can also contain artificial sweeteners.

Protein cookies are a processed baked good infused with some extra nutrients. They aren't any better than a regular cookie.

Eating granola sounds so healthy. Commercially packed granola however can include a ton of calories, fat, and sugar in a single serving.

Coconut oil is a saturated fat and nutritionists say stay away from it like you do other saturated fat sources.

Did you know that a can of whipped topping contains high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, and hydrogenated oil? Avoid it like the plague.

Plain yogurt is packed with calcium, Vitamin D, and protein. Flavored yogurts are packed with sugars and artificial sweeteners, making them more of a dessert item.

Soup can be highly nutritional, especially when its packed with vegetables. However, canned soups commonly come with a ton of sodium instead.

Commercially made trail mix often includes dried fruit and milk chocolate pieces, both filled with sugar. Some mixes also include added oils and sugars.

Naturally fermented foods can be good for your digestion. However, kombucha is fermented yeast which can cause more problems than it solves.

Pre-made salad dressing contain a ton of preservatives to keep them shelf-stable.

Anything that is touted as fat-free is packed with extra sugars.

Gluten-free doesn't mean nutritious. It often means extra calories, more processing an added sugars.

At the nutritional level, agave nectar resembles high-fructose corn syrup making it a bad substitute for sugar and honey

Most veggie sticks and straws contain coloring derived from vegetables instead of being made from them. They are no better than potato chips.

Juice of any sort is just concentrated sugar. Juice contains no fiber and too much sugar.

What do you think about this article? Tell us about your opinion and ask others to read it for themselves. Do you consume these products on a regular basis? Were you aware of their not-so-healthy properties? Let us know in the comments!

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!