8 Foods & Drinks That Lie

Summer is the time when we often like to grab “fast food” on the run.  Many of these fast foods say they’re healthy, BUT are they really?  We live in a society of “fast food” pretenders.  Foods that pretend to be healthy but in reality wreck your health.  Here’s 8 foods (& drinks) to watch out for!

1. Caesar Salad:  The dressing for this salad is most often loaded in saturated fats.  Try either eliminating the dressing and using lemon juice and a small amount of olive oil or ask for the dressing on the side and only add 1 – 2 tablespoons.
2. Diet sodas:  While these have no calories, they have been shown to increase appetite and cause other health problems.  Drink water.
3. Enhanced or vitamin water:  These are enhanced more with sugar than vitamins.  Drink plain water.
4. Breakfast muffins:  Loaded with sugar and fat and low in protein, they are not a healthy balanced breakfast and often top 500 calories.  Pick a different breakfast or eat a smaller portion of the muffin and add some protein to the meal.
5. Iceberg lettuce:  This lettuce has very limited nutritional value.  Choose a darker green lettuce; the more color, the more vitamins and minerals it will have.
6. Commercial coleslaw:  Most often it is loaded with dressings that are high in omega-6 fats (too much omega-6’s increase your risk of heart disease).  Take the dressing on the side or choose raw veggies as a side.
7. Commercial fruit smoothies:  These are often packed with sugar and have very little protein. 
8. Energy bars:  Often loaded with unhealthy fats and sugars.  They are not much more than an oversized and overpriced candy bar.

For a healthier alternative to energy bars and commercial fruit smoothies, look for products that are balanced and certified low glycemic.  Contact me if you would like more information.