Eating healthy has become important to many of us, but we don't realize that certain "healthy" foods may be worse for us than we thought. For example, many people replace red meats in their diets by adding fish to their meals. Popular and affordable seafood staple tilapiahas recently been found to be worse for you than bacon. Yes, bacon!
If you are a fish-eater then you WON'T want to miss out on this latest piece of scary news!
Read more ¿Qué Más?: 7 Healthy food swaps to cut the calories & lose weight!
Tilapia was recently discovered to be one of the unhealthiest forms of seafood because it is farm-raised. It's been compared to bacon and said to be worse for your health than the breakfast meat. In fact, research has found that it may cause more inflammation in the body that can lead to arthritis, asthma, and heart disease.
Not to mention that tilapia, plus other farm-raised fish such as salmon, aren't nourishing the body as you would expect. Instead these versions are high in pesticides and the fish are fed animal waste while they are alive. It sounds like if you want to eat these foods, it's BEST to steer clear of the farm-raised version.
Tilapia isn't the only "health" food many people think is good for them. In fact there are so many more out there that aren't what they seem.
To find out the rest of the "healthy" food culprits, take a look below!
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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.
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.
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.
