10 "Healthy" Foods That Aren't Good for You & 10 Better Ones to Eat
Healthy or Not?
Think you’re eating healthy? Think again. Sure, some foods might seem good for you, like yogurt, granola bars, or veggie chips, but many of these are actually packed with sugar, fat, or other highly processed or refined ingredients that do more harm than good. But that doesn't mean you need to give them up entirely—you just need to make smarter swaps. Here are 10 so-called “healthy” foods that aren’t as nutritious as they seem, and 10 better ones to eat instead.
1. Flavored Yogurt
Yogurt is considered to be good for you, so adding flavors like vanilla, strawberry, or blueberry doesn't change how healthy it is, right? Well, you don't want to make that assumption too quickly. Yogurt with added flavors is often high in sugar—sometimes even as much as a candy bar! You should also be wary of varieties that are marketed as "low-fat"; they're often packed with sugar to make up for the lack of fat.
2. Granola Bars
You might think granola bars are a pretty healthy snack, given all the nuts, seeds, and—of course—granola bits that make up a single serving. But be careful: if you're not taking a peek at the ingredients list and nutrition facts, you might be consuming far more fat and sugar than you realize.
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3. Bran Muffins
Bran muffins must be healthy—after all, there's the word "bran" in it, right? But unless you're making these at home, store-bought versions aren't as nutritious as you might think. Be extremely wary about the ones you buy at your local coffee shop, too: since you can't see the nutrition facts, you don't know exactly how much sugar they contain.
4. Veggie Chips & Straws
Since regular potato chips are unhealthy, veggie chips must be the opposite, right? Think again. You're much better off munching on actual veggie sticks with a nutritious dipping, like hummus, than chomping on a chip version that's just coated with refined grains and "veggie"-flavored powder.
5. Vitamin Water & Sports Drinks
If you want to keep well-hydrated, drink plenty of water, not sports drinks or vitamin-infused water. Sure, both of these might sound healthy, given that they contain electrolytes and vitamins to give your body a boost, but they're also often loaded with sugars and artificial colors or flavors—ingredients you definitely don't want to be consuming too often.
6. Instant Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a healthy breakfast, but those instant oatmeal packets you get in a box? Those should stay on the shelf. Why? Because the instant varieties are often packed with sugar, artificial flavors, and other not-so-great ingredients that you should probably not be eating every morning.
7. Sushi
You might be surprised to see sushi on here, but you shouldn't be. After all, regular sushi rolls and nigiri often come with a hefty amount of sugary rice, and dipping them into salty soy sauce doesn't make it any better. That doesn't mean you have to quit it entirely, though—fish is still extremely nutritious, so fill up on sashimi instead.
8. Gummy Fruit Snacks
Gummy fruit snacks might draw you in with their "real fruit juice" labels, but you don't want to fall for those claims without doing a little digging and verifying on your own. Most of these snacks are just glorified candy with "real fruit" added in, meaning they're still plenty high in sugar and artificial ingredients.
9. Multi-Grain Bread
Just like bran muffins, you might immediately think multi-grain bread is a pretty healthy pick. It's certainly a better option than white, right? But not so fast: multi-grain bread may seem nutritious given that it's loaded with a variety of grains, but many of these are refined, meaning the loaf still lacks fiber and nutrients compared to whole wheat or whole grain varieties.
10. Dried Fruit
Not all fruit is made equal, especially when it's dried. You might think it's just as healthy and nutritious as the fresh kind, but stripped of water, it's often much higher in calories and natural sugars per serving. Plus, it won't give you that extra boost of hydration that fresh fruit does.
Now that you know to cross these 10 "healthy" items off your list (or at least enjoy them in moderation), let's jump into 10 better ones to snack on.
1. Plain Greek Yogurt
You don't have to give up yogurt entirely—just steer clear of the flavored or low-fat kinds, which are often loaded with sugar. A better bet is to pick plain Greek yogurt and add your own toppings at home, like honey, berries, and granola.
2. Fresh Veggies
Skip the veggie sticks that tout they're made with "real veggies" or that are tacked with other convincing health claims—instead, munch on fresh veggies. Celery, cucumber, carrot, and bell peppers make an excellent veggie plate, but if you're up for a salad bowl, tossing together fresh greens, like kale and spinach, is also a great choice.
3. Lean Protein
You want to make sure you're getting enough protein in every meal, but instead of choosing fatty cuts of steak, go for leaner options, like salmon and chicken breast. And if you're vegan, fill your plate up with tofu, tempeh, and legumes.
4. Whole Grain Bread & Foods
White bread should definitely be off the table, but when choosing between multi-grain or whole grain, you should always pick the latter loaf. Why? Because whole grain bread is made with the entire grain kernel, meaning it's packed with fiber, vitamins, and essential nutrients. The same rule applies to rice and pasta: whole-grain options will always give you more nutritional value.
5. Fresh Fruit
Instead of eating dried or packaged fruit, always go for the fresh kind. Whether it's strawberries, bananas, apples, or oranges, munching on the real, natural thing gives you the nutrients and benefits these fruits are meant to provide.
6. Homemade Muffins
Don't buy muffins from the store, coffee shop, or your local bakery—make them yourself instead. This might sound inconvenient and time-consuming when your days are already packed full with work and responsibilities, but trust us, it's the healthier choice.
7. Protein Shakes
Instead of relying on granola bars to get your protein intake, try making a nutritious shake or smoothie at home. This way, you'll be able to control which ingredients—and how much of each—go into your drink, which is a better choice if you're watching your calories or sugar intake.
8. Oatmeal
We're not talking about those instant oatmeal packets—we're talking about buying an actual bag of rolled oats, or at least the non-instant kind. Make sure to check the ingredients and nutrition facts, and choose varieties that contain no added sugars or flavors. That way, you can add your own toppings at home.
9. Roasted Chickpeas
If you're looking for something crunchy, don't reach for a bag of potato chips or veggie sticks. Instead, make some roasted chickpeas at home—this delicious snack will give you the crunch and protein content you're looking for.
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10. Water
Water isn't technically a food, but it is essential to drink enough of it every day. So, instead of loading up on sports drinks or vitamin waters packed with sugar and artificial flavors, stick to plain water and get your nutrients in by eating plenty of fruits and veggies.
