Think You're Eating Healthy? Think Again.| Recipes Articles

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Bear in mind that you should conduct yourself in life as at a feast.

- Epictetus

Think You're Eating Healthy? Think Again.

$Behind the Burner: Think You\'re Eating Healthy? Think Again.$

Can you remember the last time you walked through the supermarket and didn't immediately see a food labeled "0 trans fat" or "low-calorie?" Can you remember the last time you watched television without seeing a commercial advertising nutritious snacks? It's easy to be tricked into thinking that these so-called "healthy snacks" are actually go for you, so here is our guide to foods that you may believe are healthy, but really contain high amounts of hidden calories.

Granola
I was surprised to see that Au Bon Pain's 2 oz. serving of granola topping was 230 calories, 37 grams of carbohydrates, and 8 grams of fat. Many people turn to granola as a healthy alternative for breakfast or a snack, but unfortunately, it's often loaded with chocolatey pieces or sugary syrups that may not be on our radar. The best option is to be creative and make a homemade batch of granola. And if you just can't resist buying pre-made stuff, look out for a short ingredient list or a granola that is made from whole grains (this will be the first ingredient on the label). Also, it is important to watch your portion size when eating granola...it can be addictive!

Oatmeal
Similar to granola, oatmeal is often packed with high amounts of sugar and salt. Luckily, there are easy ways to cut out those hidden calories and still enjoy an oldie-but-goodie breakfast option. When shopping for oatmeal be sure to choose natural, whole grain oatmeal. Skip the sugary flavored packets and opt for easy additions like fresh cut fruit, low-fat yogurt or a dash of cinnamon.

Breakfast Cereals
Breakfast, the most important meal of the day, can often make or break your diet. Like oatmeal, aim for cereals made from whole grains that contain at least 4 grams fiber per serving, which will keep you feeling full. Avoid cereals made from refined grains that often contain high amounts of sugar and salt (for example, one cup of Kellogg's Raisin Bran Cereal contains 350 mg of sodium). Some of my favorite healthy and tasty breakfast cereals are Kashi Heart to Heart Honey Toasted Oat Cereal, Quaker Oatmeal Squares, and Fiber One Honey Clusters.

Rice Cakes
You may be under the impression that rice cakes are a healthy substitute for crunchy snacks like potato chips. But the reality is that rice cakes contain no real nutritional value, and I often find friends putting high calorie condiments on top of them to add to their lack of flavor. Cream cheese, butter, salt and jelly seem to be the most popular toppings. Instead, top your rice cake with one tablespoon of peanut butter for a more nutritious option. A similar healthy and satisfying idea is GG crackers spread with hummus or avocado.

Flavored Water
It's no myth that drinking water is essential for a healthy lifestyle. Flavored water, on the other hand, may be adding hundreds of unaccounted calories to your diet. Be smart and chose a calorie-free and colorless flavored water (or better yet, just plain old mineral water). Tip: Bright colors are often indicators of artificial sugar and sweeteners. Do not let appealing flavor names like "essential" and "endurance" blind you from the 33 grams of sugar hidden in one bottle of Vitamin Water.