Do you ever wonder how HEALTHY the ‘healthy’ foods you are eating every day really are? It could be a good idea to re-think your daily choices. It’s pretty crazy how the marketing behind certain foods makes us believe something is good for you just based on a few key words like “fibre”, “protein”, or “low fat”. Here are five favourites that collegiettes are commonly mistaking for a healthy snack!
1. Flavoured Oats
Oats can be an amazing breakfast to start your day. It gives you a major kick of energy and your body has the whole day to break down the carbohydrates. Plus, it gives your body the fuel you need first thing in the morning and keeps you satisfied longer than your roommates’ cold, leftover pizza; however, eating flavoured instant oatmeal is not the same as eating a bowl of whole rolled oats. These extremely convenient serving sized packages are loaded with sugar and sodium, along with artificial flavours. If you want to spice up your oatmeal, try adding cinnamon, maple syrup, fresh fruit, or Greek yogurt so you can still have the great taste without compromising the health benefits!
2. Nut Butters
Nut butters can be such a delicious addition to almost any snack. A spoon full of nut butter in your smoothie, or topping fruit and veggies with it caters to your sweet tooth and contains lots of protein, BUT that’s only if you are buying natural butters. Popular brands usually add sugar and salt, which completely destroys the healthy aspects, so it’s important to check out the label on what you’re buying. The organic sections of supermarkets usually have natural, unsweetened options, or try Bulk Barn for all your natural, smooth nut butters with only one ingredient: nuts!
3. Granola Bars
Just like a quick package of oats, granola bars seem like such an easy and cheap snack for in between classes. The problem is these bars are usually so full of sugar, and so low in protein, it’s not keeping you full for an extended period of time, but just giving you a quick sugar rush. The better choice would be an actual protein bar, which is still usually pretty tasty, and actually satisfies your body’s cravings. It’s important to take a look at the label to ensure you’re getting an appropriate amount of protein versus the calorie and sugar intake.
4. Pre-Made Smoothies or “Health” Drinks
You know the type. Those sneaky, bottled drinks labelled as being filled with pro-biotics, vitamins, or fibre. By skipping out on making your own smoothie, you risk drinking something that is loaded with sugar and calories that you typically drink more of because you THINK it’s really good for you. News flash: if there’s more than a few ingredients, or countless that you can’t pronounce, you’re just consuming empty calories filled with artificial sweeteners. Try making your smoothie at home so you know exactly what is going into it (plus, you save money!).
5. Salad Dressing
Salad is usually the first food that comes to your mind when trying to eat healthy. It’s great to make this choice over a greasy burger, but when the salad is drenched in creamy, fatty dressing, it kind of ruins the point of the leafy greens and veggies. The tastiest salad dressing is usually filled with vegetable oils, fats, and sugars, along with artificial chemicals. If you want to add dressing to your salad, go for it. But try an alternative by making your own with lemon juice or balsamic vinegar to enjoy amazing taste AND still reap the benefits of reaching for a salad.
It can be discouraging when you find out food you thought was a healthy choice is actually not that great for you. However, it’s important to educate yourself on the ingredients that are going into your body on a regular basis. Try reading the label more often. The best tip is to prepare your food from natural ingredients at home to ultimately gain the most health benefits.
XO