If you’re trying to stay healthy, it can be extremely infuriating to think you’re eating what’s best for your body until you read the back of the packaging and find you really didn’t want all of those unnecessary additives, flavorings, sugars and fats. That’s why we’ve made a list of some of the most easily mistaken health foods with handy tips and tricks on how to get the best option for you, whilst still enjoying what you eat. 

 

Granola Bars 

Hearing the word granola is an easily mistaken way to automatically think you’re getting a healthy snack, but in reality, those oats are often sticky with as many sugars, carbs and calories as the average candy bar. However, whilst some brands are definitely misleading in how healthy they are, the good news is that there are a lot of others out there which have cut out the sugars and instead are a great way to get fiber into your diet. They also taste great when they’re homemade, so if you really want to know what’s going into your body, there’s lots of fun, easy and nutritious granola bar recipes to try out in the kitchen yourself! 

 

Dried Fruit  

You’re being healthy eating fruit, right? Unfortunately, the drying process often means a lot of the fruit loses its nutrients such as vitamin C and many have a lot of added sugar. Just like with drinking too much fruit juice, when overindulged in this tasty snack can have damaging, eroding effects on your teeth’s enamel. However, dried fruit is definitely better than no fruit, and it seems that each type has its own personal benefits. For example, whilst you should be aware that raisins have around 59% natural sugars, they’re also shown to decrease inflammatory markers and blood cholesterol levels! Dates are also very sweet, but they’re rich in antioxidants and have even been shown to aid in pregnancy labour. Being aware of the risks and benefits is definitely something to keep in mind the next time you pick them up in the grocery aisle. 

 

Salad Dressings 

Imagine you’ve just spent 30 minutes making a healthy, nutritious salad with all of your favorite toppings, when you realize that your ranch dressing is loaded with saturated fats and sodium. Nutritionists have determined that these saturated fats are extremely difficult for your body to metabolize and are also responsible for raising cholesterol levels and increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease. Luckily though, adding a squeeze of lemon, a little olive oil or some dill and plain Greek yogurt are easy ways to make your own delicious dressing. 

 

Sushi 

Sushi has seen a huge increase in consumption in recent years, and it’s true that it’s become a filling food which looks and tastes great! The fish in sushi is also a good way to get a little burst of protein and omega 3 into our diets, and yet it can be unhealthy. Sushi is most popularly served with soy source, in which just 1 tablespoon has been shown to contain nearly 40% of the daily recommended amount. There’s also an issue of portion control since sushi often comes in many tasty slices of white rice (which is less nutritious than brown), and may lead to over consumption. However, if you’re a lover of sushi it’s not all bad news as there are a number of components that have great health benefits that we perhaps wouldn’t normally eat, such as the anti-inflammatory properties of wasabi and the high levels of calcium and magnesium found within the sheets of seaweed. 

 

Veggie Burgers 

Just because they’re meatless doesn’t mean they’re all healthy. Commercial veggie burgers are often full of highly processed soy, preservatives and sodium which are actually far from natural and can increase our chances of heart disease.  But if you’re a vegetarian, there are often a limited number of options that you can find in grocery stores. However, making veggie burgers at home with whole food ingredients such as black beans, whole grains, lentils and seeds can be a fun and easy way to solve this, whilst also getting fiber, vitamins and minerals that you wouldn’t have got from eating a normal burger! 

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