10 Fake Healthy Foods That Can Be Bad For You

fake healthy foods

Watch Those Ingredient Labels

All of these “healthy” foods have a dirty little secret listed somewhere in their ingredients.

This secret either says they are loaded with sugar/calories, highly preserved, or highly processed. They can easily be substituted with a much more healthy option that can help you keep your weight from creeping up even though you are eating “healthy.” Check out our list of healthy foods that can be bad for you!

“Healthy” foods that can be bad for you

10 "Healthy" Foods That Can Be Bad For YouDried Fruit

Manufactures usually cover their dried fruit with sugar and other additives to help maintain its shelf life causing you to consume a large amount of unwanted sugar. Also, remember that you are consuming more carbohydrates in a smaller package!

Try this: dehydrate your own fruit own at home.

Trail Mix

While this stuff can be great when you are hiking and burning a ton of calories, it’s not an ideal snack for the office because the excess sodium and sugars can quickly add up. Not to mention the version with chocolate pieces in it!

Try this: purchase plain or raw nuts.

10 "Healthy" Foods That Can Be Bad For YouWheat Bread

Most wheat bread is not much more nutritious than regular white bread and can contain the same amount of calories.

Try this: make sure the bread your purchase says 100% Whole Wheat.

Smoothies

Smoothies are great but don’t think that just because the concoction you buy at the store is healthy just because it says “smoothie” (which is usually full of sugars).

Try this: homemade smoothies are way better and super easy to make.

10 "Healthy" Foods That Can Be Bad For YouFruit Cocktail

While it sounds completely healthy when purchased at the store, it is usually coated with syrup to increase its shelf life and taste (check out the ingredients).

Try thisa super easy solution is to buy your own fruit and cut it up.

Cereal/Granola Bars

While convenient, granola bars can be loaded with salts and sugars to help preserve them, not to mention have a lot of calories with their nutrient content comparable to a snickers bar. Also, many versions contain chocolate as well which can add a substantial amount of calories,

Try this: roast your own oats or granola at home.

10 "Healthy" Foods That Can Be Bad For YouLight Salad Dressing

While this is a lot better than normal salad dressing, look at the list of ingredients next time you are making a salad (the ingredient list is a mile long). There is a ton of sugar and sodium in this stuff.

Try thisbalsamic vinegar can be amazing on a salad.

Fat-Free Yogurt

While it might have a reduced amount of fat compared to its counterpart, it has an enormous amount of sugar for flavoring. This sugar of course adds up to a bunch of calories!

Try this: Greek yogurt is a great substitute. Plus it can be a great source of probiotics.

10 "Healthy" Foods That Can Be Bad For YouFruit Juice

The amount of sugars in this stuff is amazing, and in some instances can be more than the sugar content of soda. Don’t be fooled by the label “fruit” many times this simply means fruit flavoring…with a huge dose of sugar!

Try this: buy only 100% fruit juices!

Corn Chips/Tortilla Chips

This is one that I’m guilty of consuming a lot (I love salsa). Corn chips have a massive amount of sodium and are full of fats and calories which can quickly add up!

Try this: you can make your own, though that can be time-consuming.

Wrap-Up

We aren’t saying that you have to avoid these foods completely (they are a better choice than many other snack foods) but they may not be the “healthy” foods that you think they are.

So the next time you grab that “healthy” food make sure to check out the label. It might be one of those foods that can be bad for you!

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Josh is the founder of DIY Active - your at home fitness source! He enjoys blending the latest science and expert advice with health practices to help you exercise smarter at home!
Josh Anderson
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10 Fake Healthy Foods That Can Be Bad For You