Published by Omar Elamam BA, PTS, 4th Degree International Instructor
Eating healthy is generally good for you—but there can be exceptions.
With so many trendy diets on the market, it’s easy to follow every piece of information presented to us blindly. Why wouldn’t we? It’s supposed to be good for us, right? Normally, I would answer that question with a resounding “yes.” However, not everything marketed as healthy truly is.
An increasing number of companies have jumped on the health bandwagon and now target health-conscious consumers with aggressive marketing campaigns. They often use catchy phrases such as “Zero Trans Fat,” “Only 100 Calories,” and “Organic.” While these claims sound appealing, do they automatically mean a product is good for you?
We should also be cautious with genuinely healthy foods. Even nutritious foods can contribute to unwanted weight gain when consumed in excessive amounts. Without proper portion control, it is possible to gain weight while following what appears to be a very healthy diet.
The following is a list of 10 healthy foods that can contribute to weight gain if consumed in inappropriate portions.
- Dried Fruit- Very delicious and can be consumed in large quantities. However, be cautious with these fruity treats. When dried, the sugar becomes denser because of the lack of water. Don’t be surprised if you get a sugar high while consuming dried fruit.
- Peas and Corn- Good in the mouth, bad in the stomach. This dynamic duo packs tons of carbs and can be considered a starch. That means bad news for you!
- Granola- Most granolas hold an excess amount of calories, and some are loaded with added sugar. Always look for the label and check out for yourself if it’s right for you.
- Avocado- Typically packed with ‘good’ fats, it can quickly turn your diet upside down. The problem arises when we consume it in a dip form, which most of us often do. It’s very easy to mindlessly consume hundreds of calories when consuming it as a dip with our favourite snack.
- Frozen yogurt- I bet you thought eating frozen yogurt would be good for you, right? Think again. Unlike regular yogurt, frozen yogurt does not have ‘live cultures’ or healthy bacteria that provide certain health benefits. They also pack on tons of calories.
- Smoothies- Sure, they may be packed with tons of healthy foods such as bananas, yogurt and milk, but they often contain 4 times the daily limit of sugar. That’s way too much if you ask me.
- Gatorade/Fruit Juices- Unless you’re running a marathon or you’re an athlete, do not consume these drinks casually. Packed with tons of added sugar, it can easily ruin any complex diet.
- Energy Bars- Not all are bad, but most of the ones you find at your local corner store are. These types of energy bars are normally listed at 200 calories or more per bar and hold plenty of sugar.
- Organic treats- Just because it says Organic does not mean that it’s good for you. Going organic does not translate to a lean look. Many of these labelled foods are not void of sugar, calories or fat. All it means is that it is free of most harmful chemicals such as pesticides and insecticides. Not sure who started the myth that Organic is healthy for you, but that person was clearly misinformed!
- Gluten-Free Foods- These foods still hold many calories and have no difference in the amount of sugar or fat when compared to their counterparts.
It is often easy to get caught up in all the information given to us in this day and age. Just remember to consume in moderation even the foods that are labelled ‘healthy’ for