Brits hoping to improve their diet and lifestyle are being advised on the foods that aren’t as healthy as they seem.
Fitness experts at Goal Getters by MuscleFood.com have looked at foods including avocado, yoghurt and cereal bars to see just how healthy they are.
Despite what we believe, foods like granola and avocado can be high in sugars, fat and calories.
They don’t have to be avoided altogether, the experts suggest enjoying these in moderation and finding healthier alternatives
Ashleigh Tosh from Goal Getters by MuscleFood.com said “There’s a lot of information out there about what foods are healthy and what foods aren’t and it can be overwhelming at times.
“Most foods tend to be okay in moderation but if you’re relying on things like yoghurts and cereal bars as part of your daily diet then you might want to think again.
“These foods tend to be really high in sugars in order to make them taste good. It doesn’t mean you have to ditch them altogether though, you can certainly find better alternatives.
“For example, try to avoid cereal bars covered in chocolate and go for ones with really simple ingredients like nuts and seeds. “
Foods that seem healthy but aren’t:
Yoghurt
Yoghurt can be high in both calcium and vitamins, making it great as part of a meal or snack. However, most yoghurts have added sugar in to make them taste good making it equivalent to a chocolate bar! If you’re looking for a healthy yoghurt try plain greek.
Granola
A lot of people on their fitness journey rely on granola as a healthy breakfast. And while it is high in fibre and protein, it also has a lot of sugar packed into it to make it taste good meaning it’s not ideal to eat frequently or for those on a low-sugar or low-calorie diet.
Cereal and energy bars
Cereal bars and energy bars are a great on the go snack, but it’s important to be selective with them. A lot are no different to having a bar of chocolate in terms of their high sugar and calorie content. If you do like to include these in your diet, keep an eye out for ones with really simple ingredients like nuts and seeds.
Avocados
This fruit isn’t exactly unhealthy, but too much of it isn’t good either. Avocados are one of the fattiest fruits and while this is “good fat” that can help lower cholesterol, it shouldn’t really be consumed everyday as it’s also really high in calories.
Smoothies
Unless you’re making your own at home, smoothies aren’t as healthy as we think. Store bought smoothies are likely to be made from cheaper and more processed ingredients rather than fresh fruits, meaning they’ll have a high sugar content.
Dried fruit
Dried fruit is another snack that’s okay in small portions in moderation. Try to avoid this as a daily snack as it contains high levels of sugar and high calories. When buying them, aim to avoid packets that have added sugars.
