Bad news: no matter how healthy you think that food is, if you didn’t prepare it yourself, you probably don’t realize how much sugar, extra carbs, and other not-so-good-for-you stuff is hiding in your health foods. Be careful that what you eat is really as good for you as it seems. To help you get started, here are 5 Foods That Are Secretly Unhealthy.
5 Foods That Are Secretly Unhealthy
Vitamin Water
They call it “vitamin” water, but check the ingredients–it’s loaded with sugar! If you want to drink something healthy, stick with water or unsweetened iced tea.
Premade Smoothies
You hear “smoothie” so you think “healthy,” but remember that if you didn’t make it yourself, you’re not sure what’s in it. Some smoothies have sugars and other additives that make these delicious drinks less healthy than you think. A good smoothie should have less than 15 g of carbohydrates, so make sure you check the nutrition facts.
Energy, Fiber, and Protein Bars
Just like with vitamin water, these healthy treats actually have tons of junk in them, including additives, preservatives, and sugar. A lot of them have just as much sugar as a candy bar! Make sure you check the label before you buy for both ingredients and portion size, even if the box says it’s good for you.
Granola
Sorry to break it to you, but granola isn’t exactly healthy. It has tons of sugars and transfats, which can lead to health problems like heart attacks. Just like any less healthy food, it’s fine in small doses, but beware of snacking on too much granola rather than something you know is good for you like a piece of fruit or some fresh veggies.
Pre-made Salads
This is surprising, because they really seem so healthy! In addition to stuff that’s good for you (veggies), pre-made salads tend to have more salt and tons more extras like cheeses, olives, croutons, and other not-so-healthy ingredients. A pre-made salad may be a better choice than a burger, but it’s still not as good for you as a simple salad you bring from home.
Did you know that these foods were so secretly unhealthy? Let us know in the comments and on our Facebook page!