Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is something all of us try to do on a daily basis, but if you don't know what you should be eating this can be a challenge. We are constantly being told to eat this and that because it's good for us, but what if it just makes us gain weight in the end? Believe it or not a lot of the foods we perceive as "healthy" are actually quite the opposite.
The question is which are those sneaky culprits? Read on to find out!
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Take for example my love for smoothies, dried fruits, and honey. You would think these were healthy items that you could have without having to worry about weight gain. WRONG! In fact, these are some of the MAIN reasons people gain weight when they're modifying their diets. Shocking right?
To find out the rest of the "healthy" food culprits, take a look below!
Olive oil: Although normally considered a good for you oil, olive oil carries over 50 calories in a spoonful serving. Instead go for olive oil in a spray can to spare you extra calories and fat.
Low-fat: This is one of the ultimate culprits in the healthy food world as many people read low-fat and immediately assume they can eat as much as they want and not gain weight. Not so. In fact low-fat labeled food tends to have extra sugar to replace what was taken out of the product. Instead, if you really want those chocolate chip cookies, go for the original version which may have fewer calories than its low-fat counterpart.
Trail mix: We're often told nuts and dried fruit are a healthy snacks to have but the truth is most of it is pure sugar. However, they do provide for lots of fiber and are good in moderation. Opt for unsalted nuts and preferably go for fresh fruit if it is possible.
Juice: When I was growing up, my parents would swap soda for juice, but surprisingly, juice can be just as bad. Juice contains lots of sugar and none of the nutritional value the original fruit has which means you're essentially just drinking sugar. Instead, eat that orange and avoid the juice or look for juice that has no sugar added.
Smoothies: Similar to juices, smoothies can also contain more sugar than soda or other sugary treats. Eat the actual fruit instead as it takes the sugar a while to break down in your system meaning you'll absorb less of it.
Granola: Usually you hear healthy people being referred to as "granola munchers," but surprisingly granola is not as healthy as you would think. The problem with granola is the added sugar and fat in the mix that is disguised with seeds, nuts, and oats. Instead go for the sugar free version of the product, or make your own at home.
Flavored water: Although these types of waters claim to offer extra vitamins, what they're really offering is extra sugar. And these are usually only necessary if you are working out for long periods of time to replenish electrolytes. If you can't stand the plain taste of water then opt for aguas frescas by naturally flavoring your water with some of your favorite fruits. This saves you extra sugar and makes H20 taste a whole lot better!
Wine: Although a glass of wine does provide you with antioxidants, it can also affect your waistline. A large glass of the red stuff can tip you over 225 calories a day extra than you need. Go for a smaller glass if you do need to satisfy your craving after a long day at work.
Fruit flavored yogurt: Plain yogurt can be a bit hard to swallow if you don't like foods without flavor. So you opt for the fruit-flavored kind because you assume they're just as good. They may sound like a great idea at first, but they will ruin your diet since they are chockfull of sugar! Instead go for plain flavored yogurt and top it with your favorite fruits. If that's not sweet enough for you, add a little bit of honey but don't go overboard.
Cold cuts: It may seem like a turkey or ham cold cut sandwich may be a healthy alternative to pizza, but this culprit could be setting you diet back in many ways. Not only is it processed meat, but it is high in sodium which doesn't make it heart-healthy. If you do crave a sandwich, go for hand carved meats instead or grilled chicken breast which has less sodium and is leaner with more nutritional value.
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