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What if you found out your favourite healthy snack wasn’t healthy?

To be honest, there is a lot of false information out there when it comes to “healthy” foods. We’re constantly influenced by social media and advertisements that don’t always provide accurate information and, therefore, change our perception of food.

Product labels provide some of the most misleading information because there is room for interpretation of what “all-natural” and “100% whole wheat” actually mean.

Unfortunately, some of our favourite meals, snacks, and drinks – that we think are healthy – are unhealthy.

How To Read Food Nutrition labels For Healthy Eating

Even when you think you’re eating healthy, you may want to think again. Some foods are pretending to be healthier than they are.

1.ENERGY BARS

When we choose to eat an energy or protein bar, it’s because we are looking for a quick boost. You can get that when you take a nutritional break to enjoy a bar made with unrefined flours and sweeteners like raw honey. But when you eat fake healthy food like a store-bought energy bar, the only things you are consuming are super sweet and processed brown rice syrup, cane syrup, cane sugar, and a fair amount of carbs.

Swap it by picking a bar that suits your clean-eating lifestyle. Choose a recipe without refined ingredients like these Energy Boosting Bars that give you a boost without an energy crash an hour later.

2.FLAVORED YOGURT

Yoghurt is considered one of the best foods for you because of the probiotics it contains and its effects on your digestive system. The gut and intestines do benefit from healthy bacteria for sure, but what about the other ingredients in flavoured yoghurt? High amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners far outweigh the benefits of protein that yoghurt provides.

Instead, indulge in a delicious serving of plain Greek yoghurt. If you need a little flavour to get you going, consider cinnamon. Or, mix a serving of fresh pineapple, berries, or cherries in the yoghurt for a sweet or tart bonus.

3.TRAIL MIXES

I know what you’re thinking — nuts can’t be all that bad for you! But it’s not the nuts themselves that are unhealthy in trail mixes.

The flavourings that they’re coated with raise their sugar and sodium content to sky-high levels.

Plus, many trail mixes contain omega-6-rich polyunsaturated oils which have been heated at high temperatures resulting in oxidation of the fat, like sunflower, safflower and grapeseed oil. Some store-bought trail mixes also have candy-coated chocolates, which, depending on how many are included, may also cause a blood sugar spike and dip.

To get the true benefit of a high-protein, high-fibre snack, try building your own! It’s more affordable, and you can pick and choose ingredients you enjoy such as almonds, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, goji berries, unsweetened coconut flakes, Brazil nuts, etc.

4.FAT-FREE COOKIES & SNACKS

Let’s get real though, friends. Packaged snacks of any kind are not completely nutritional. Some people will be fooled into thinking that fat-free is the best option when shopping for a fat-free cookie, when in fact, it’s not. The fat is replaced with sugar and just so much of it!

Instead, choose to make it on its own. If you are craving a cookie, grab a quick fix like my guilt-free homemade cookies!

5.INSTANT OATMEAL

Oatmeal is delicious, I’ll admit. There are so many ways to enjoy it, and I love adding nutritious toppings as an extra way to boost the goodness. But, instant oatmeal is a different story. If you look at the flavoured varieties, the first ingredient is oats and the second, sugar. Right off, that tells you that it’s fake healthy food. Blueberry flavoured pieces doesn’t sound quite right either, does it?

A homemade oatmeal breakfast is so much better for you. And if you are often in a rush in the mornings, start the day off right with breakfast that’s ready to enjoy. I’m talking about Overnight oats, quick to make, just a few healthy ingredients, and goodness that satisfies your nutritional needs.

6.SALAD DRESSING

Salad is heavenly, isn’t it? Crunchy, fresh vegetables, crisp lettuce or flavorful greens like arugula and tasty dressing to top it all off.

But what if I tell you that your favourite salad dressing is nothing more than just another fake healthy food? Dressings bought off the grocery store shelf are pretty high in sodium and contain virtually no nutrition. Along with sodium, you’ll find carbs and sugar, and that’s about it. Not a vitamin to be seen.

The best dressing I can recommend comes straight from your kitchen.

This easy homemade salsa is a real crowd-pleaser, y’all. It’s a 7 ingredient recipe, and you can make it in a blender or food processor in 5 minutes.

7.DIET DRINKS

While a diet soft drink is not my idea of healthy food at all, some people will choose it as an alternative to a regular soda. The common logic is that diet drinks can help you cut back on sugar, or enable you to lose weight. It’s a statement that has no merit.

To be honest, diet drinks are so bad for you! Artificial sweeteners like saccharin, sucralose, and aspartame are pretty controversial sugar replacements, and there is not a single nutrient to be found. Instead, to quench your thirst make a big batch of infused water to keep in your fridge. Then you’ll have a clean-eating alternative ready and waiting at a moment’s notice!

8.READY-MADE BOTTLED SMOOTHIES & SHAKES

All of these pre-made drinks have about the same amount of sugar and artificial sweeteners you can find in diet sodas, slushies, and milkshakes.

But you can make a protein shake easily and affordably at home by just picking your favourite protein powders and you’re good to go. If you are looking for plant-based milk, check out this oat milk recipe.

Try these Secret Smoothie Drinks that keep all of the Celebrities Glowing.

Bottom line

Eat healthy foods 75% of the time

The key to healthy eating isn’t just the choice of foods themselves. It’s also moderation. Remember: It’s OK to indulge once in a while if you generally eat right. Try to eat healthy foods 75% of the time, rather than it being all or nothing.

Do you have other healthy swaps for these not-so-healthy foods?

If you make any of the recipes, be sure to share your thoughts about how they compare to their counterparts. Tag us on social at #detoxpri @detoxpri.

Hope you all have a great weekend!