
11 healthy foods that aren’t actually healthy at all! Oh no, I’ve been eating #9 every day!
We’re sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but don’t shoot the messenger. Thought you knew exactly what was good for you and not? Think again. These supposedly healthy foods are in fact quite terrible for you…
#1 Popcorn
Microwave popcorn isn’t quite the light snack most people think it is on account of its high levels of sodium. Still better than crisps and sweets, but if you binge on the cinema treat too often, you aren’t doing yourself any good!
#2 Canned soups
Canned soups are tasty and convenient but with more than 400 milligrams of sodium in them they can contribute to high blood pressure. Best make your own soup from scratch, though it might take a little longer, your blood pressure will thank you a hell of a lot!
#3 Orange juice
OJ might be a staple of most breakfasts across the nations but it’s very high in sugar, carbs and calories. You’re better off getting your vitamin fix from the real fruit than pouring yourself a glass. And no, mixing with Prosecco at brunch won’t help either!
#4 Salad dressing
If you’re going for the healthy options you might be ruining your salads with dressings. They can be filled with preservatives, additives, sodium and sugar – way too many extras! Use extra virgin olive oil and some balsamic vinegar instead.
#5 Smoothies
Smoothies are delicious and full of fruity goodness but steer well clear of some that can contain a lot of sugary ingredients like syrups, full-fat ice-cream and sugars. Maybe once in a full moon, but definitely not every morning as your breakfast on the go.
#6 Vegetable oils
Processed vegetable oils may help lower cholesterol but they also contain potentially harmful fatty acids. Olive oil and coconut oil are definitely better choices.
#7 Agave Nectar
Natural sweeteners are obviously a popular alternative to sugar. One such sweetener is Agave nectar, however, with around 70-90% fructose in it (normal sugar has 50%), it’s not any better. Stick to the classics for that sweet tooth of yours instead.
#8 Brown rice syrup
Like Agave Nectar and other artificial sweeteners, brown rice syrup can actually put up your blood sugar level. Brown rice itself is great, but avoid the syrup it produces to keep those levels down.
#9 Granola
Being packed with oats, nuts and dried fruit one bowl of this breakfast cereal can easily have more than 500 calories (and that’s before the milk). Dried fruit is also often preserved with added sulphur and sugar so it’s definitely better to eat fresh fruit as much as you can.
#10 Diet drinks
“Diet” doesn’t necessarily mean healthy. These drinks are often laden with artificial ingredients like flavourings and sweeteners and they might make you more likely to eat more afterwards than a ‘full fat’ drink. Yes we know Diet Coke is one of the biggest on the market… but there’s a reason why it tastes SO good.
#11 Low-fat peanut butter
Peanuts are good for you but make sure you go for the most natural version you can find, as reduced-fat jars often just substitute fat for sugars.