Why Weight?

3 Foods That Aren't As Healthy As You Think

By Bob on January 8, 2014 2:21 AM

The world is full of popular beliefs that just aren't true, like Elvis is dead, we put a man on the moon and all healthy food is well, healthy. For those of you keeping score at home, the first two are TRUE and the last one is FALSE. Lemme 'splain.

Just because the package says a food is healthy or loaded with nutrients, it may be full of other things you don't need. Read the fine print on the label. Some foods aren't as healthy as you think. Like these three.

3 Foods That Aren't As Healthy As You Think

1. Flavored Yogurt and Granola

Yogurt and granola are my go-to breakfast foods, but I have to be careful which ones I eat. If you're not careful, the granola and flavored yogurt (even reduced fat) you buy can be unusually high in unhealthy added sugar. Read the label. Sugar should not be among the first few ingredients.

2. Low-Fat Salad Dressing

Watch out for low fat, reduced fat and fat free foods like salad dressings, because they can have added sugar or salt. Why? To make up for all those delicious fats that are missing. Sometimes, they're actually higher in calories than full-fat versions. As much as I like irony (it's one of things that gets me out of bed in the morning), it's not funny when something that's supposed to keep me fit, makes me FAT.

3. Ground Turkey

Ground turkey can be tricky. It CAN be healthy, but some ground turkey has more fat than you might expect. Check the label to see that it is ground from either turkey breast or 97% to 99% lean turkey meat. Here's a fun fact. Extra lean ground beef can be even healthier than lean ground turkey and it's lower in cholesterol.

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Why Weight? is a column on diet, nutrition and making better choices so you can live a longer healthier life. The authors are not doctors and nothing here should be taken as medical advice. Always consult your physician before making any changes in diet, exercise, nutrition or cell phone provider (Let's face it doctors are just really, really smart, they know a lot about a lot of things). Our goal is simple: We want all Baby Boomers to live long enough to get back the money they've paid into Social Security since taking their first summer job. Remember, your children's inheritance isn't going to spend itself. It's up to you.

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