Today, it feels like there are millions of different types of foods marketed as “healthy.” Many of these items have tangible lifestyle benefits and are packed. vitamin, minerals, and other positive nutrients can make a big difference in your diet.Other foods find ways to reduce calories, salt, sugar and fat, offering healthier alternatives to traditional versions. Foods Marketed as “Healthy” It’s actually worse than candy.
To understand which foods are less nourishing than candy, it is important to understand why candy is bad for you in the first place.
“Eating candy is generally considered unhealthy because it’s high in sugar and calories and usually doesn’t have much nutritional value. Trista Vest, MPH, RD, LDso balance one supplement“Consuming too much sugar can lead to a variety of health problems, including weight gain, tooth decay, and an increased risk of certain chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
“Candy is often classified as an ’empty calorie’ food. provide energy (aka calories), but it contains few essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. fiberBest continues. “It’s important to have a balanced diet that includes a variety of healthy foods and limit intake of sugary foods like candy.”
Eat this instead of that! A handful of additional experts were consulted to identify foods that are usually marketed as “healthy” that may actually do more harm than you think. In some cases, these choices prove to be unhealthy. candy Because it has a lot of sugar. Others manage to go beyond simple empty calories or excess sugar by adding fast or adding. salt It may not be found in typical chocolate bars or lollipops.
With all that in mind, here are seven “healthy” foods nutritionists say are worse for your health than candy. Best Sweeteners for Your Blood Sugar—Ranked!
you may have never thought of it fruit may be bad for you from candy. However, dried fruit presents a range of problems, especially when compared to something like hard fruit candy.
“Fruits are generally considered a healthy food, but dried fruits are often high in sugar and calories, and their generally smaller size makes it easier to eat more than usual. fresh fruitmay contribute to weight gain,” explains Best. [raisins].”
Don’t feel like you need to ditch dried fruit entirely.It actually ranks as one of 7 surprising foods you shouldn’t give up to lose weight, says nutritionist— Try to eat in moderation.
When it comes to healthy grains, Granola It seems to come to mind. Many companies want this food to be considered a healthy alternative to other foods. sweet breakfast cerealmany types of granola use various oils to bind the grains together and sweeten with sugar.
“Granola is often marketed as a healthier option, but it can be high in sugar and unhealthy fats,” says Best. important thing [that is also] Made with whole grains and healthy fats. ”
Energy bars have found a niche among health-conscious people, thanks in part to advertising campaigns featuring images of rock climbers and athletes. Many believe that a healthy lifestyle and energy bars go hand in hand. If you flip the bar over and read the nutrition information, you might be shocked by the incredibly high percentage of carbs and fat. Hmm.
“Energy bars are often marketed as a healthy and convenient snack, but many types are high in sugar and calories,” explains Best. It is important whole grain and low sugar content. ”
Not all energy bars are less nutritious than chocolate bars. Best and Worst Energy Bars – Ranked It helps you make an informed buying decision the next time you go to the grocery store.
grain Many versions of this breakfast staple are packed with sugar. No. Some of the leading cereals marketed as healthy on-the-go breakfasts come in the form of individually packaged bars. The marketing of these cereal bars looks pretty healthy. but don’t be fooled.
“Many of them contain more sugar than candy bars and are often [have] Just like there is very little fiber,” he says. Elena Wheeler MPH, RDN, registered dietitian Mids.
When you need to serve a healthy dessert and have to choose between candy and frozen yogurt, frozen yogurt seems like the obvious choice. The marketing surrounding this confection makes it look like a healthy dessert alternative, despite the large amount of sugar and fat in each serving.
“Variety of [of frozen yogurt] Often contains more sugar than candies and regular sugar [ice] say cream Lisa R. YoungPhD, RDNthe author of Full at the end, slim at the end and our members medical expert committee“And people think of themselves as ‘yogurt,’ so they often eat larger portions.”
All the sugar in this treat will cause health problems down the road.In fact, frozen yogurt is 6 Snacks That Secretly Increase Your Body’s Inflammation, According to Nutritionists.
Various “Health” canned soup However, not all brands have lived up to these market expectations.
“It has a very high sodium content, little to no protein or fiber, and many times higher sugar content, coupled with cans that can be lined with BPA, [which is] It is known to increase the risk of obesity and insulin resistance.” Bridget McDonald, RDN, registered dietitian Wellcyon“You are only a handful of [chocolate candies] with almonds. ”
Salads are rarely mentioned in the same way as candy, especially when talking about positive nutrition. salad dressing Compensate for the difference in taste with high sugar content and low fat.
“Usually the main ingredients are vegetable oils,” says McDonald. chronic inflammation in the body. Most of them contain a lot of sugar.Fun-sized Milky Way is low in sugar […] It does contain oil, but in much lesser amounts. ”
If you’re wondering if all of this means you’ll never be able to enjoy these foods again in order to lead a healthy lifestyle, think again. When it comes to understanding how to make the smartest, healthiest choices in your diet, Best reminds you of the most important thing in the grand scheme of things.
“It’s important to remember that no single food is ‘healthy’ or ‘unhealthy’ on its own,” she says.
“It’s okay to enjoy these types of foods occasionally, but they shouldn’t be included in your diet on a regular basis,” adds Best. Try to include healthy, nutritious foods in your meals and snacks.
Sign up for our newsletter!
