Not all foods marketed as healthy are good for you. Some can be deceiving, packed with hidden sugars or unhealthy fats. Here are 10 popular foods often labeled as healthy choices, but that might not be as beneficial as you think.
Table of Contents
1. Protein Bars
![Protein Bars](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Protein-Bars.jpg)
A few brands of protein bars are healthy and made with nutritious ingredients. However, many are filled with chemicals and are highly processed, making them more like expensive candy bars than nutritious snacks.
2. Veggie Straws
![Veggie Straws pack](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Veggie-Straws-pack.jpg)
People act like veggie straws are much healthier than potato chips, but they’re usually just potatoes in another form. Veggie straw manufacturers typically use vegetable powder to dye their other colors.
3. Fruit Juices
![Fruit Juice store](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Fruit-Juice-store.jpg)
I was one of the many people who believed the lie that fruit juice was healthy. Although it’s not harmful in small amounts, even natural fruit juice has a lot of sugar. One forum member stated, “It might be worth mentioning that the fruit juices you buy in supermarkets and fresh fruit juices are very different.”
4. Fat-Free Foods
![Alberton, South Africa - January 11, 2019: a box of Woolworths Food long life fat free milk isolated on a white background image in horizontal format with copy space](https://myeverydaytable.com/wp-content/uploads/Fat-Free-milk.jpg)
Many “fat-free” or “low-fat” alternative snacks and foods might have fewer calories or lower fat content, but they’re filled with other additives and chemicals. It would likely be better for most people to consume a smaller amount of a full-fat item than to focus on fat-free foods. You should speak with your doctor if you are concerned about your diet’s fat content.
5. Granola Bars
![Granola Bars on plate](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Granola-Bars-on-plate.jpg)
There are many granola bars, but most are a step away from being candy bars due to the sugar content. And don’t even get me started on the Nature Valley granola bars, where you’ll get more crumbs on the floor than in your mouth!
6. Instant Oatmeal
![Instant Oatmeal berries](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Instant-Oatmeal-berries.jpg)
While I personally use instant oatmeal packets for convenience, I know they’re not a healthy choice compared to making oatmeal with fresh, plain oats. Instant oatmeal packets typically have some sugar or fake sugar, flavorings, and other additives.
7. Fake Meat
![impossible burger. meat free. vegetables.](https://myeverydaytable.com/wp-content/uploads/Fake-meat-burger.jpg)
If you’re vegan or vegetarian, you may feel like you don’t have a choice other than eating fake meat. You may even be okay with the ingredients in them. However, a common misconception is that meatless alternatives are automatically healthy because they don’t have meat.
8. Zero Sugar or Diet Soda
![Diet Soda](https://myeverydaytable.com/wp-content/uploads/Diet-Soda.jpg)
One person mentioned that their coworker “guzzles liters of Coke Zero daily because she says it has zero sugar.” This is a common occurrence, and many people become dependent on zero-sugar sodas without considering the amount of fake sugar, chemicals, or caffeine they’re consuming.
9. Salads
![Salad](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Mediterranean-Chopped-Salad-3.jpg)
Although salads are a great way to get a few servings of vegetables, not all salads are equal. Simply attesting that a salad is healthy doesn’t work when covered in fried chicken, bacon, cheese, and heavy, creamy dressing, for example.
10. Vegetable Oils
![Couple buying vegetable oil](https://myeverydaytable.com/wp-content/uploads/Couple-buying-vegetable-oil.jpg)
An informative comment specified, “Their emergence on the market 100 years ago is the biggest change in the human diet since the introduction of agriculture. They are found in virtually all processed foods. They are obesogenic, inflammatory, associated with the cell death of neurons, raise blood pressure, etc.”
Source: Reddit.
12 American Foods That Visitors Find Disgusting
![candy-corn](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/candy-corn-1.jpg)
This list features 12 American foods that often puzzle or turn off international guests due to their unique textures, flavors, or ingredients.
Click Here For 12 American Foods That Visitors Find Disgusting
14 High Protein Meals That Help You Lose Weight
![grilled chicken breast](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/grilled-chicken-breast-2.jpg)
These recipes are perfect for anyone looking to maintain muscle while cutting calories.
Click Here For 14 High Protein Meals That Help You Lose Weight
33 Potato Recipes Worth Trying Today
![potato rosti](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/potato-rosti.jpg)
This list of easy potato recipes showcases their versatility, with options ranging from hearty breakfast hashes to elegant dinner sides.