Smoothies
Smoothies are a quick, easy way of meeting your daily vitamin count. Drink one of these tasty treats for breakfast and you’re set for the day… Or are you? Drinking your quota of nutrients can lower your intake of fiber in comparison to eating the fruits or veggies raw – lowering their benefits. Smoothies also contain heaps of hidden sugars, especially when shop-bought.
Vegetable chips
Swapping out potato chips for vegetable chips seems like a health-boosting trick, but it’s not quite the case. Beetroot, carrot, and parsnip-based snacks may all sound healthy, but their nutritional content is surprisingly low – mainly due to the process of turning them into a chip-shaped treat. In some cases, vegetable chips have more fat content than their potato counterparts.
Canned foods
Canned foods seem like a staple item that should be included in your cupboard – after all, they last much longer than fresh veggies. Although canned vegetables provide a big chunk of those sought-after nutrients, they come with a steep incline in sodium content. An excessive consumption of salt can lead to heart problems and high blood pressure, so it’s best to go fresh.
Granola
Although granola may seem like a healthy, delicious snack – particularly when paired with fresh fruits – the breakfast cereal isn’t as good for you as you may first believe. High in excess sugar from dried fruit and the hefty fat content that comes with nuts, granola can be healthy – but only if you eat it in moderation.
Yogurts
Despite being recommended by health columns across the web, not all yogurts are healthy. Many are full of added sugars or artificial sweeteners that can come at a detriment to your health. Be careful when picking out which yogurt to snack on – ones with added biscuits or flavors are a no-go if you’re seeking to a healthier lifestyle.
Protein bars
Protein bars promise a snack packed with body-boosting nutrients. While they do have significant amounts of protein and calcium, these handy bars can also be very high in calories and sugar – meaning that you could gain weight if you snack on them too frequently. Read the label, and opt for bars with little to no added sugar.
Sports drinks
Sports drinks are a way for athletes to replenish their bodies of nutrients after an intense workout. While it’s true that these beverages do help vitalize and rehydrate the body, they’re also packed with tonnes of hidden unhealthy ingredients. Sports drinks are often high in sugar, artificial colors, and caffeine, so it’s best to stick to water.
Gluten-free snacks
Gluten-free products can be heavily processed and high in sugar, while lacking in the nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that your body needs. For those with allergies and intolerances, gluten-free food is the way to go. For everybody else, it’s best to stick to your original diet.
Baked beans
Although baked beans count as one of your five a day, they’re surprisingly unhealthy. While they may be a decent source of protein and fiber, they’re also high in sugar and salt. One tin accounts for 20% of your daily sugar intake, and 40% of your recommended allowance of salt.
Flatbreads
Flatbreads may seem like a calorie-conscious choice for a lighter lunch, but there’s a high chance that just one of these doughs is higher in calories than two slices of bread. Flavored flatbreads – boasting added spinach or tomato – have little to no nutritional additions, so don’t be fooled. If you want a healthy flatbread, keep it homemade or stick to those made from whole-grain ingredients.