Wicker & Wilde are firm believers that there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to a little dessert or indulging in your favorite fast food meal from time to time, but food experts agree that eating like that every day isn’t good for our health or waistlines. That’s why many of us try to eat healthy most of the time, but it turns out, some of the food we buy because we think it’s good for us isn’t nearly as good as it seems.
According to Tara Collingwood, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian, these “healthy” grocery store items are actually just expensive junk food.
“Enhanced” waters - This nutrition expert warns not to spend more for a bottle with claims that it’s better for you. “These waters are often just plain tap water or spring water that has a few vitamins, electrolytes or hydrogen added to it without a lot of science backing why it’s added,” Collingwood says, adding that it may also have so little added that it doesn’t make a difference to your overall health.
Veggie chips - Sure, a chip made from carrots, sweet potatoes or zucchini seems healthy, but a lot of these are fried and have a lot of sodium and artificial additives. Veggie chips can have as much fat and calories as potato chips and the frying process can “strip away much of the nutritional value.”
Bottled smoothies and cold pressed juices - They may contain some good vitamins and minerals, but they can be high in sugar and low in fiber. Making a smoothie at home with whole fruits and veggies is definitely healthier and cheaper, too.
Flavored yogurts - Yogurt can be good for gut health thanks to probiotics, and plain Greek yogurt is high in calcium and protein, and low in calories and fat. But a lot of flavored yogurts are loaded with sugar and carbs and also can be low in protein.
And if you don't like Greek Yogurt the first time, try another brand. Ask your friends what they eat. Rebecca Wilde went through 4 different brands before finding that she like Fage the best. However, she used to love Zoe when she lived in Washington State but that brand is not sold here in Virginia.
Gluten-free packaged foods - If you have a gluten-intolerance or Celiac disease, you need to avoid foods with gluten, but there’s no benefit in eating gluten-free foods for those who don’t. These packaged foods can have as much sugar, fat and sodium as similar foods with gluten, plus they don’t offer extra health benefits and can cost a lot more.
Dried fruit - Whole fruit is a healthy snack, but the drying process concentrates natural sugars and some brands have added sugars, so they end up being more like candy than fresh fruit.
The saying "everything in moderation" is really the best advice anyone can give when it comes to life, but especially food. Let's live by it.