Foods you think are healthy BUT AREN'T! #22: IMITATION CRAB
WHY WE THINK IT’S HEALTHY: It’s seafood, so we know it’s healthy because of the omega-3 fatty acids. It’s also an inexpensive source of protein, fairly low in calories and is quite tasty. Seems like the perfect food for low-carb diets. WHY IT’S NOT: While imitation crab is made from fish, it doesn’t provide all…
Foods you think are healthy BUT AREN'T! #20: FAT-FREE TREATS
WHY WE THINK IT’S HEALTHY: The stance that a calorie is a calorie is a calorie, whether it comes from fat, protein or carbohydrates, is the driving force behind fat-free anything. Fat weighs in at nine calories per gram, whereas carbs and protein are only four. If you believe that the secret to losing or maintaining weight…
Foods you think are healthy BUT AREN'T! #19: Frozen Yogurt
WHY WE THINK IT’S HEALTHY: Everyone loves ice cream, but not the guilt or shame that follows. Fro-yo gives you that sugary, creamy hit without the calories of ice cream. WHY IT’S NOT: Ask anyone what ingredients are found in fro-yo, and apart from yogurt, most won’t know. Sugar commonly forms 15-17% of the yogurt’s…
Foods you think are healthy BUT AREN'T! #18: DIET SODA
WHY WE THINK IT’S HEALTHY: It has no calories and allows dieters to enjoy their soft drinks guilt-free. The classic way to lose weight has been to eat fewer calories than you burn, so drinking low-calorie pop should, in theory, help you shed those unwanted pounds more easily. WHY IT’S NOT: The principle of “a calorie…
Foods you think are healthy BUT AREN'T! #17: MARGARINE
WHY WE THINK IT’S HEALTHY: Advertised as a “heart-healthy” alternative to butter, margarine has been over-recommended for the past 50 years as a way to reduce our intake of saturated animal fat. Some brands are made with phytosterols that can reduce blood cholesterol levels. WHY IT’S NOT: Not only has saturated fat…
Foods you think are healthy BUT AREN'T! #16: PROTEIN BARS
WHY WE THINK IT’S HEALTHY: Proteins are associated with health, strength, vigour, and muscles. Those who want to eat more of it but don’t want to munch on a chicken breast at the gym find that protein bars are a godsend. WHY IT’S NOT: It’s hard to generalize about protein bars because there are so many out there. Some…
Foods you think are healthy BUT AREN'T! #15: SUPERMARKET SUSHI
WHY WE THINK IT’S HEALTHY: Sushi has an amazing reputation as a healthy meal. It’s light, contains whole foods — vegetables, seaweed and uncooked fish — and it’s absolutely delicious. WHY IT’S NOT: Ironically, sushi is not eaten in Japan because of its healthy qualities but because it tastes good. It’s…
Foods you think are healthy BUT AREN'T! #14: CAESAR SALAD
WHY WE THINK IT’S HEALTHY: A common entrée in restaurants, Caesar Salad seem to be enjoyed by those who usually hate salads. It’s creamy, crunchy and Parmesan-y, but it’s still salad. There is, after all, lettuce in there. WHY IT’S NOT: Let’s start with the croutons. These are traditionally made with cubed pieces of…
Foods you think are healthy BUT AREN'T! #13: GLUTEN-FREE PRODUCTS
WHY WE THINK IT’S HEALTHY: Gluten has become the new enemy as evidence continues to emerge linking grain-based diets with a range of chronic health conditions. Not surprisingly, the market for gluten-free foods and beverages has skyrocketed. The primary reason is that consumers are convinced that gluten-free products are…
Foods you think are healthy BUT AREN'T! #12: RICE CAKES
WHY WE THINK IT’S HEALTHY: These bland cardboard cut-outs were a dieter’s dream during the 1990s low-fat/low-calorie diet craze. As a snack food, they’ve helped us stay away from more unhealthy snacks like chips and fries. WHY IT’S NOT: Rice cakes are nothing more than refined puffed rice and have very little…
Foods you think are healthy BUT AREN'T! #11: FLAVOURED NUTS
WHY WE THINK IT’S HEALTHY: Nuts are a convenient snack that provide us with healthy monounsaturated fats, protein, vitamin E, fiber and some omega-3 fatty acids. Nuts have been shown to reduce our risk of developing blood clots and to lower LDL cholesterol levels. Glaze them in soy sauce or coat them in maple candy, and…
Foods you think are healthy BUT AREN'T! #10: FRUIT JUICE
WHY WE THINK IT’S HEALTHY: Many look forward to beginning their morning with a fresh glass of OJ. Drinking your fruit is way more convenient than having to go through the arduous process of peeling, slicing, biting, chewing, and swallowing. And, hey, the government says it’s the same thing as having a fruit. According to…
Foods you think are healthy BUT AREN'T! #9: LOW-FAT PEANUT BUTTER
WHY WE THINK IT’S HEALTHY: Full of healthy monounsaturated fats and protein, peanut butter has been a comfort food for pregnant women and bodybuilders. It’s pretty high in calories, though, which makes the reduced-fat version more attractive and healthy option. WHY IT’S NOT: Peanut butter is actually a very decent…
Foods you think are healthy BUT AREN'T! #8: BREAKFAST CEREAL
WHY WE THINK IT’S HEALTHY: The health benefits of breakfast cereals are largely the result of a hugely successful marketing campaign that began as early as the 1900s. Kids are especially targeted, and many can’t imagine breakfast without a bowl of cereal. “Part of a balanced breakfast” is a term coined by the cereal…
Foods you think are healthy BUT AREN'T! #7: FRUIT COCKTAIL
WHY WE THINK IT’S HEALTHY: It’s fruit, so it’s good for you. WHY IT’S NOT: The syrup ruins everything. Fruit canned in syrup holds its shape, colour and flavour, but it also adds extra calories and boosts its glycemic index. The most common syrup used in commercial fruit cocktails is corn syrup, made from the starch…