Foods That Will Trick You Into Thinking They're Healthy, When Really They're Not

We all like to eat healthy, for the most part, but sometimes it can be a challenge. Some foods are misleading, and that can be a huge problem to overcome when you are trying to start eating healthier. Does "fat free" really mean it is healthier? Tea is healthy no matter what, right? Here's a list of foods that seem healthy, but they are really just unhealthy foods in disguise.

GRANOLA

Granola seems very healthy, with oats and nuts, on the surface it looks like the perfect breakfast food. Wrong. A serving of granola is only a quarter of a cup, so if you've been pouring yourself a bowl of granola with milk, this can be where a lot of extra calories are sneaking into your diet. A quarter cup of granola is about 200 calories, so if you're eating about a cup every morning, this can be 800 calories just for a bowl of granola! Be careful when picking granola, due to the high levels of refined sugar. Making homemade granola can also be beneficial, because you can cut down on the refined sugar levels and add more healthful foods like healthy nuts and whole grains.

Dried Fruit

Dried fruit can be a sneaky food, because it is advertised as being just the fruit dried in the sun, which is unfortunately not true. Many dried fruit varieties, especially pineapple and mango, contain around 27g of sugar per serving! They have to add extra sugar and unnecessary preservatives to give the fruit a longer shelf life. Instead, opt for the fresh versions of these fruits. While they may not be as convenient, they will be much more healthful for you.

"Fat free" or "Low fat" Foods

While on the surface these foods may be attractive if you're trying to cut down the fat in your diet, while still having delicious snack foods, these foods are almost worst than their full fat counterparts. To make up for the lack of fat, manufacturers will often add around 10% more calories and 40% more sugar, so these foods will still maintain their flavor. While many of these foods should be consumed sparingly anyways (snack foods, chips, cookies), if you have to eat them, go for the full fat version and make sure to limit your portion sizes.

Instant Oatmeal

While it may be convenient, instant oatmeal is not a health food. Maple brown sugar instant oatmeal contains 12 grams of sugar and 32 grams of carbs per serving. Instead, go for slow cooked oatmeal with berries and a little bit of maple syrup. It might take a little bit longer to prepare, but will drastically cut down on the amount of sugar you're consuming.

Sushi

Sushi can be healthy if you get it prepared with whole, healthy ingredients. Most packaged sushi, however, is not as healthy as it sounds. Many of the pre-packaged varieties will be covered in high calorie sauces and toppings, along with large amounts of white rice. Making your own sushi with more vegetables and less rice is a more healthy option.

Smoothies

Smoothies can be healthy, if you make them yourself. Going out to get a smoothie can be dangerous, because some smoothie venues can add fruit concentrate and high amounts of sugar into the smoothie. This can boost the calories of the smoothie up to 700-800 calories per drink. Instead, make one at home with Greek yogurt and frozen fruits. This way, you'll know exactly what is in your smoothie so you won't be tricked into consuming the extra calories.

Coconut Oil

While coconut oil is healthier than other oil options, you still have to be careful. This food is only beneficial in small quantities, because the fatty acids in the oil can clog your arteries and put pressure on your heart. Instead, try coconut oil in a spray can. This will force you to use less oil, cutting down on the fat consumption.

Veggie Patties/Burgers

Again, if you make them yourself and know what is in them, veggie burgers can be a healthy food choice. But, many manufacturers of frozen, processed veggie patties will not use 100% vegetables, and will add cheap fillers to make the cost of the food cheaper. As a result, the levels of sodium and calories will increase. Make sure to check the label on the package before consuming.

Multi-grain Breads

"Multi-grain", "Wheat", and "7 Grain" are three examples of how companies can trick you into thinking you're getting a more wholesome bread. Companies can use these phrases on refined grain products, and it makes it seem like you are purchasing whole grain bread. It is a marketing scheme, and these breads have the same nutritional value of white bread. Make sure when you are buying bread it says "Whole Wheat", because this way you know what you are purchasing. Also, check the ingredient list. If it says "refined grains" anywhere, or "bleached flour", stay away. These are indicators of refined grains, and are not as healthy as whole grain foods.

Bottled Green Tea

If you brew tea yourself, it is a very healthy beverage choice and will contain ECGC, which is a potent antioxidant found in green tea that is linked to cancer prevention and weight loss. Bottled tea, however, tends to be sweetened. Companies sneak tons of sugar into these beverages, and often a bottle of green tea is equivalent to a bottle of sugar water. Processed teas don't contain ECGC, and it is much more healthful to purchase green tea bags and brew them yourself.