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Thereâs nothing wrong with treating yourself to a little dessert or indulging in your favorite fast food meal from time to time, but eating like that every day isnât good for our health or waistlines. Thatâs why many of us try to eat healthy most of the time, but it turns out, some of the food we buy because we think itâs good for us isnât nearly as good as it seems.
According to Tara Collingwood, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian, these âhealthyâ grocery store items are actually just expensive junk food.
- âEnhancedâ waters - This nutrition expert warns not to spend more for a bottle with claims that itâs better for you. âThese waters are often just plain tap water or spring water that has a few vitamins, electrolytes or hydrogen added to it without a lot of science backing why itâs added,â Collingwood says, adding that it may also have so little added that it doesnât make a difference to your overall health.
- Veggie chips - Sure, a chip made from carrots, sweet potatoes or zucchini seems healthy, but a lot of these are fried and have a lot of sodium and artificial additives. Veggie chips can have as much fat and calories as potato chips and the frying process can âstrip away much of the nutritional value.â
- Bottled smoothies and cold pressed juices - They may contain some good vitamins and minerals, but they can be high in sugar and low in fiber. Making a smoothie at home with whole fruits and veggies is definitely healthier and cheaper, too.
- Flavored yogurts - Yogurt can be good for gut health thanks to probiotics, and plain Greek yogurt is high in calcium and protein, and low in calories and fat. But a lot of flavored yogurts are loaded with sugar and carbs and also can be low in protein.
- Gluten-free packaged foods - If you have a gluten-intolerance or Celiac disease, you need to avoid foods with gluten, but thereâs no benefit in eating gluten-free foods for those who donât. These packaged foods can have as much sugar, fat and sodium as similar foods with gluten, plus they donât offer extra health benefits and can cost a lot more.
- Dried fruit - Whole fruit is a healthy snack, but the drying process concentrates natural sugars and some brands have added sugars, so they end up being more like candy than fresh fruit.
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