Healthy food is the one that looks green or comes with 100% gluten-free or all-natural written all over, isn’t it? If you’re someone who believes in this and chooses products like this might need to stop. Not all products that advertise being nutritious are healthy. They do contain natural ingredients but this is usually washed off by their natural health from the various processing stages it go through before reaching us.
Many products like multigrain bread, cereal or orange juice sound healthy however this is not the case here as they tend to contain some ingredients that are not so nutritious for daily consumption. I have listed below some of the products that we consume considering them to be healthy but are not. There are other alternatives we can eat or drink instead of these.
9 Healthy Foods That Are Surprisingly Unhealthy
1. Orange Juice
Orange juice is assumed to be a healthy fitness drink as it consists of Vitamin C and is made from fruit. The problem is that most orange juices bought from shops are concentrated. This is a refined version of pure orange juice that is dehydrated for easy transportation and then watered back down to taste.
Even the juice that is free from concentrates is made by adding a sweetener that increases the intensity of sugar in your body. The juice is made by stripping the fruit of its natural fibre and fibre helps to slow down the sugar release in your body. The best solution would be to add fresh fruit to some water and consume it if you crave something fruity.
2. Cereal
Next up is – Cereal. Many individuals when asked about their favourite choice of breakfast would say Cereal as it’s assumed to be a healthy breakfast option.
Cereal is often presented to consist of all the healthy nutrients like vitamins, minerals, whole grains, and fibre. However, if we take a look through the ingredients they are not very healthy as they are hyped to be. Cereals are classed as refined carbohydrates and are often high in sugar. If you are someone looking for a healthy breakfast option – Oats would be a better alternative
3. Veggie Chips
Veggie chips may seem like a healthier alternative to regular potato chips, but many brands are high in sodium, calories, and fat. Some veggie chips are also made with refined flour or starches, which can spike blood sugar levels.
Veggie chips often lack the fiber found in fresh vegetables, which can help regulate digestion and keep you feeling full.
4. Granola
While granola may seem like a healthy breakfast option, it is often high in calories, sugar, and fat. Many granola brands also contain added sugars, artificial flavors, and preservatives. Some granolas contain processed ingredients like artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives, which can be harmful to your health. Look for granolas that are made with whole, natural ingredients and avoid those with long ingredient lists or hard-to-pronounce additives.
Overall, granola can be a healthy choice when made with whole, natural ingredients and consumed in moderation. However, it’s important to read labels carefully and choose options that are lower in added sugars, calories, and fat.
5. Flavored oatmeal
Flavored oatmeal can be unhealthy due to added sugars, artificial flavorings, and preservatives. Many packaged flavored oatmeal products contain high amounts of added sugar, which can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and other health issues when consumed in excess.
Additionally, flavored oatmeal products may contain artificial flavorings and preservatives, which can be detrimental to overall health when consumed frequently. These additives have been linked to various health problems such as allergies, inflammation, and even cancer in some cases.
Therefore, it’s essential to read the ingredient labels carefully and choose flavored oatmeal products with minimal added sugars, natural flavorings, and no preservatives. Alternatively, you can make your own flavored oatmeal by adding fresh fruits, nuts, and spices to plain oats, making it a healthier and more nutritious breakfast option.
6. Rice Cakes
Rice cakes are often considered a low-calorie and low-fat snack option, but they are not necessarily a healthy choice. Rice cakes are made from refined white rice, which has had most of its nutrients stripped away during processing. This means that they contain very few vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which are essential for maintaining good health. Rice cakes also have high glycemic index, lack protein and fibre and are also high in so
Overall, rice cakes are not necessarily an unhealthy snack option in moderation, but they should not be relied upon as a primary source of nutrition. It’s essential to pair rice cakes with other nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins to make a more balanced and nutritious snack.
7. Smoothies
Another misconceived healthy drink is smoothy. These variable-sized bottles filled with vegetables and fruits sound healthy, don’t they? But they are not. Smoothies contain high amounts of sugar that can spike your insulin the same way that a chocolate bar does. Though the sugar comes from the fruit itself however the effects they have on your body are similar to those caused by refined sugar as the fruits lose their fiber while being blended.
Smoothies that claim to be full of vegetables and healthy ingredients like wheatgrass and matcha consist of fruit juice as the main ingredient. The fruit juice added is worse than the one from the concentrate. These smoothies are made from more fruit and a tiny amount of vegetables like spinach or kale.
If you want to make your blended drinks, use 1:3 fruits to vegetables and add flaxseeds, chia seeds, or nuts to increase the fibre content.
8. Flavored Yoghurt
If you love flavored yogurts, then you might want to be a bit careful with them as they contain sugar that’s added in the flavoring process. The fruit purees used are the reason for all the extra sugar though it’s listed as a simple ingredient.
Instead one can opt for Greek yoghurt that is is a great source of protein, pure and simple and without added sugar.
9. Multi-grain bread
Reading the name itself gives us an idea of the bread being filled with loads of nutrients however that’s not the case here. This bread prioritises enriched wheat flour as its main ingredient and other grains are considered as an add-on.
One should avoid bread that mentions ‘enriched’ at the top of the ingredients list as the grains are stripped of their nutrients in the process and then added back to the bread. You should always opt for bread which lists whole grains like ‘whole wheat’ as their main ingredient.
Many other day-to-day foods appear to be healthy but are usually unhealthy for health. One should always be aware of the product they are choosing and instead opt for more natural options available in the market. This way one can try to be a bit healthier.
Read also – 15 Easily Available Foods to Your Rescue
