Get the facts about these calorie-laden shockers!Sifting through the endless array of available "healthy" foods can be tricky. The terms "low fat," "diet" and "fat free" may have you believing you're eating your way to health and
weight loss. But in fact, these kinds of items are packed with ingredients that may do the opposite: keep the pounds on. Many nutritionists believe the major ingredients often found in so-called healthy foods ‑- sugar, high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oil ‑-contribute to obesity. And although the government regulates what may be deemed
low fat and fat free (foods with less than 3 grams of fat and less than 1/2 gram of fat, respectively), the word "diet" isn't regulated at all.
To help you sort out which foods may not be as beneficial as you think, we've gathered a list of the top misleading offenders.Yogurt ParfaitThis combination of yogurt and granola is deceptive. Although it offers the natural goodness of yogurt, it's often of the full fat variety and comes with a sprinkling of granola or chocolate candy. YoCrunch's mild low-fat yogurt with Nestlé Crunch candy pieces isn't exactly mild with 220 calories per serving and 28 grams of sugar ‑- amounts equivalent to those in an average-size candy bar!
Yogurt ParfaitThis combination of yogurt and granola is deceptive. Although it offers the natural goodness of yogurt, it's often of the full fat variety and comes with a sprinkling of granola or chocolate candy. YoCrunch's mild low-fat yogurt with Nestlé Crunch candy pieces isn't exactly mild with 220 calories per serving and 28 grams of sugar ‑- amounts equivalent to those in an average-size candy bar!
Energy BarsThe first ingredient in many energy bars is high fructose corn syrup, a.k.a., sugar! One Power Bar brand energy bar contains over 30 ingredients, most of which are vitamins and minerals, but how can something be healthy if it's wrapped in sugar? Lynn Grieger, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator says, "This is a huge matter for debate. I much prefer that people get their vitamins and minerals from unprocessed foods ‑- meaning primarily fruits, veggies and whole grains. Just because a food has a name that sounds good for us, doesn't mean it follows through with that claim."
Fast Food SaladsFast food chains are attempting to shape up their reputations by offering healthy alternatives to the usual burger and fries combo. But a number of salads on their menus are extremely high in fat and sodium. McDonald's Bacon Ranch Salad with Grilled Chicken (no dressing) contains cheddar and jack cheeses, bacon bits and liquid margarine amounting to 260 calories (80 of which come from fat) and 1,000 grams of sodium. A McDonald's Hamburger contains the same amount of calories with half the sodium (granted, the salad is nearly three times the size of the burger).
Fruit JuicesWhile doctors recommend you eat a variety of fruits to meet your daily requirement of vitamins, drinking fruits isn't comparable. Many packaged and processed juice drinks are loaded with sugar or high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavoring and very small amounts of actual fruit juice. That adds up to nothing more than a lot of empty calories in a single serving. Try eating a nice juicy orange or tangerine instead!
Diet SodasWhen it comes to misleading consumers about weight loss, one of the worst offenders is diet soda. Sure, there are 0 grams of fat, carbohydrates and cholesterol, but there are also 0 grams of protein and dietary fiber, nutrients essential for maintaining good health. The sole item with any value listed on the nutrition label is sodium, and most diet sodas have around 30 milligrams of it. Experts believe a diet high in sodium may contribute to developing high blood pressure. As an occasional treat (or to wean yourself off the regular stuff), diet soda is fine, but the best beverage for weight loss is water.
Fat-Free CookiesDeceptively innocent in appearance, fat-free cookies are a food to avoid when you're trying to eat healthily. These tiny treats often contain partially hydrogenated oil for flavor and extended shelf life. "Hydrogenation," according to Grieger, "creates trans fatty acids, which are now indicated on all food labels and are known to increase the risk of heart disease."
Gourmet Snack MixesThese bags of nuts, dried fruits and seeds contain the basic ingredients for healthy snacking, but when they're combined and packaged for convenience, they often contain, like fat-free cookies, partially hydrogenated oil and other preservatives that aren't part of a healthy diet.
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