Foods that Seem Healthy But Aren’t
Some marketing teams are so good they can take what’s otherwise considered junk food, wrap it up nicely (with natural hues of green and tan on the package of course) and market it as something you should feel good about eating. Before you give yourself a pat on the back, check out these not-so-healthy “health foods” that I featured on WBAL NBC Baltimore, MD this morning.
1. Trail Mix. It’s so easy to believe that all trail mix is healthy. But, you’ll want to watch out for sugary candies, milk chocolate, dried fruit coated with added sugar or fake yogurt coating. Leave the candy for Trick-or-Treaters, and choose in-shell pistachios for your snacks instead of prepared trail mixes. Preliminary behavioral studies suggest that you may consume fewer calories if you opt for in-shell pistachios versus those already shelled because it takes time to break them open and the shells are a visual reminder of what you’ve eaten. Wonderful Pistachios 100-calorie snack packs make a great on-the-go snack that conveniently helps control your portions. If you still want trail mix, make your own with dried fruit that doesn’t contain any added sugar (dried plum bits, apricots or papaya for instance).
2. Veggie Chips. If you flip over the package you’ll see that most veggie chips are really fried potato chips with added spinach powder, tomato powder or little bits of dried vegetables here and there. Unfortunately they don’t count as a serving of vegetables.
Better Alternatives: black bean chips made with real black beans, roasted chickpeas – you can make these at home or buy them in a wide variety of flavors or kale chips. All of these options give you the crunchy and salty texture you may be craving.
3. Veggie Pasta. Like vegetable chips, veggie pasta often contains small amounts of powdered vegetables that do little more than turn the pasta a different color. If you want pasta that is actually made from vegetables, check out Explore Asian’s line of bean pastas. They are gluten free, vegan, organic and high in both fiber and protein (24 or more grams of protein per serving). I made black bean butternut squash for TV this morning as well as a homemade pesto for Explore Asian edamame pasta.
4. Light Olive Oil. Light (or extra light) olive oil isn’t lower in calories or fat. Instead, “light” refers to the flavor and color. Here’s what you should look for:
“Extra virgin” means the olives have been pressed to release the oil (anything labeled just “olive oil” means chemicals or other methods were used to release the oil from the olives; this oil is lower in both nutrition and flavor quality).
Dark glass containers. Heat and light can damage olive oil. Glass protects better than plastic and dark glass protects better than light glass. Your olive oil will not only taste better but also preserve the integrity of your oil (rancid oil isn’t good for your body).
A University of California Davis study found many brands of olive oil sold here in the US failed their test for sensory standards (possibly due, in part, to adulteration since olive oil is one of the most adulterated foods – lower quality oils are mixed in to increase the profit margin). Two brands that faired the best according to their study: California Olive Ranch and Lucini.
5. Turkey Bacon. Many brands of turkey bacon have almost the exact same nutrition profile as regular bacon in terms of calories, fat and sodium. So, choose this if you love turkey, not if you are looking for a leaner choice. If you want great tasting bacon that contains fewer calories, less fat and sodium, check out uncured Canadian turkey bacon.
Regardless of your choice – pork, turkey or some type of Canadian bacon, always look for uncured bacon. Consumption of cured meats can increase risk of developing colorectal cancer.