Health Foods that Are Secretly Bad for You

Oprah.com
Photo: Alison Gootee/Studio D
Photo: Alison Gootee/Studio D

By Karen Asp

You can't always judge a food by its label. A low-fat option might be loaded with unhealthy oils, while veggie offerings can include unhealthy amounts of sugar and salt. Here, the scoop on five supposedly good-for-you foods and what you're better off eating.

Turkey Burger


Reality Check
We think of turkey as healthier than red meat because it has less saturated fat, but in terms of total fat and calories, they can be virtually identical. Unless the patty is made with 93 percent lean meat, steer clear, says dietitian Kate Geagan, author of Go Green, Get Lean.

Smart Swap
Choose wild salmon burgers, which are full of omega-3 fatty acids to benefit your brain and heart and also contain vitamin D. Look for Trident Seafoods frozen salmon burgers in your grocer's freezer aisle.



Reduced-Fat Peanut Butter


Reality Check
Reduced-fat peanut butter spreads can be as little as 60 percent peanut. (By law, products labeled "peanut butter" in the U.S. must be at least 90 percent peanut.) Nutritionally void ingredients like corn syrup solids, sugar, and unhealthy oils make up the difference.

Smart Swap
Pick a full-fat option labeled "natural," or look for a layer of oil at the top of the jar. Check out the ingredients, too, which should list only two or three items, with peanuts first.








Granola


Reality Check
"Most granolas are packed with ingredients like nuts and oils that send the calorie count soaring," says dietitian Brooke Joanna Benlifer. And since they often contain added dried fruit and sweeteners, their sugar content can be high, too.

Smart Swap
Try multigrain Cheerios, which are lower in fat and sugar and contain 110 calories per cup. If it's too hard to cut out granola entirely, be sure to use it sparingly.


RELATED: Candy for Grown-Ups: 9 New Ways to Indulge Your Sweet Tooth








Veggie Chips


Whether they're made from whole root vegetables or have just a dusting of dried spinach, veggie chips are no substitute for actual vegetables. Plus, they're often fried and salted, meaning they could be loaded with calories and sodium, Geagan says.

Smart Swap
Dig into air-popped popcorn, which has about 30 calories per cup and a higher concentration of antioxidants than some fruit. Still craving veggie chips? Choose a brand with at least two grams of fiber per serving.


RELATED: 16 of Our Best 10-Minute Appetizers







Instant Oatmeal


Reality Check
"Instant oats have been heavily processed, so there's not as much fiber to satisfy you," says Benlifer. They also have a higher glycemic index than other oats, making your blood sugar spike and then crash, which can leave you hungry soon after eating.

Smart Swap
Switch to steel-cut or "old-fashioned" oats with at least four grams of fiber per serving to stay satiated longer and help stabilize your blood sugar levels. For even more fiber, add berries or almonds.


RELATED: 9 Scrumptious (and Energizing!) Breakfast Recipes





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