When it comes to eating healthy, it’s important to do your research. Just because a food is marketed as “healthy“ doesn’t necessarily mean it is. In fact, there are some so-called health foods out there that are actually pretty bad for you. Here are some of the worst offenders.
Margarine
You might think that margarine is a healthy alternative to butter, but there’s more to this spread than meets the eye. Margarine is made from vegetable oils that have been through a process called hydrogenation. This process changes the structure of the oils, making them solid at room temperature. While this might make for a spreadable product, it also creates trans fat—and trans fat is linked to an increased risk of heart disease. What’s more, margarine generally contains less healthy fats than butter. Butter is made from cream, which is a natural source of vitamin A, while margarine generally contains little to no vitamin A.
So, when it comes to choosing between butter and margarine, butter is the better option—despite its bad reputation. If you want an even healthier butter alternative, try olive oil or avocado oil.
Diet Soda
While diet sodas don’t have any calories, they’re full of artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which have been linked to cancer and other serious health problems. They can also cause tooth decay, and these drinks’ acidity can lead to enamel loss. Over time, this can result in sensitive teeth, cavities, and even tooth loss.
See a dentist if you’ve been drinking diet sodas for a long time and wish to know how badly they impacted your dental health. They can provide a dental cleaning and X-rays to show your teeth’s state. If you already have tooth loss, you can still restore your smile by requesting a tooth implant. A tooth implant is a surgical procedure that involves placing a titanium post in the jawbone to serve as a replacement for the missing tooth root. The post is then fitted with a dental crown, which looks and functions like a natural tooth. Tooth implants are durable and can last many years with proper care. In addition, they can help to preserve the health of the surrounding teeth and gums.
Health-wise, the difference between a regular soda and a diet soda isn’t that big. For a healthier beverage, go for water, unsweetened tea, or coffee.
Granola
You may think granola is a healthy breakfast option, but it’s not as healthy as it seems. A typical serving of granola is loaded with sugar and saturated fat, contributing to weight gain and heart disease. Moreover, many granola brands are made with white flour and processed oils, which offer very little nutritional value.
If you want a good, healthier alternative to granola, try making your own at home with whole grain oats, nuts, and seeds. You can also add in some dried fruit for sweetness. This way, you’ll know exactly what’s going into your granola, and you can control the amount of sugar and fat.
Dried Fruit
Dried fruit is a popular snack because it’s portable, long-lasting, and seemingly healthy. However, dried fruit isn’t as healthy as it seems. The drying process removes water from the fruit, resulting in a higher sugar concentration. In fact, a handful of dried apricots has as much sugar as a candy bar. Dried fruit is also often coated in sugar or oil to prevent sticking, adding even more sugar to the mix. And because dried fruit is so small and lightweight, it’s easy to overeat without realizing it.
So while dried fruit may be a convenient snack, it’s important to enjoy it in moderation. If you’re craving fruity flavors, eat fresh fruits instead. You can also try freeze-dried fruit, which has all the flavor of dried fruit with none of the sugar.
Protein Bars
You may think that protein bars are the perfect on-the-go snack. They’re easy to eat, portable, and they have the word “protein“ in the name, so they must be healthy, right? Unfortunately, many protein bars are loaded with sugar and calories and don’t provide the sustained energy you might expect. In fact, you may be better off eating a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts. So next time you’re looking for a quick snack, reach for something that will give you sustained energy and all the nutrients your body needs. Your body will thank you for it.
The next time you’re at the grocery store, take some time to read the labels on the “healthy“ foods you’re planning on buying, especially if it’s margarine, diet soda, granola, dried fruit, or protein bars. You might be surprised to find out that some of them aren’t as healthy as they seem.
