The Kitchen Think: You Think That’s Healthy???
I know you don’t want to hear this on Monday morning, but after your not-so healthy food-fueled weekend, you need to know that the bag of trail mix you’re nipping into isn’t doing you any favors.
Even if you aren’t trying to lose weight, a lot of the so-called “healthy” options out there are loaded with fat, sugar and sodium. You know I’m a huge advocate of “everything in moderation.” But honestly, even if you limit yourself to a serving size, these things are still packed with bad stuff in quantities that actually aren’t healthy.
Steak and Cheese Wrap
For example…
Wrap Sandwiches— Wraps seem healthy because they aren’t so “bready.” But unless it’s filled with steamed vegetables, the tortilla, condiments, meats and cheeses make this a meal high in fat, sodium and calories. Suggestion: Make a traditional, portion-sized sandwich using whole grain bread.
Vitamin Infused Water— While many of these drinks are loaded with vitamins and minerals, they are also loaded with sugar (and sometimes caffeine) to make them taste good. Suggestion: Need flavored water? Squeeze a lemon or orange into your glass of good old H2O.
Frozen Yogurt— Yogurt’s healthy, right? Not always. Some frozen yogurt has more sugar and calories than ice cream. Suggestion: Make sure the container says “Live and Active Cultures” if you want the probiotic benefits of yogurt… and look at the sugar content.
Granola—Another taste sensation that we’ve been duped into thinking is healthy, when in reality it is packed with sugar and fat and has very few vitamins and minerals. Suggestion: Treat granola as a garnish and use it to top oatmeal, probiotic yogurt or cereal.
Trail Mix— Nuts have protein. Dried fruit have vitamins… but together they’re major calorie bombs. Also, it’s REALLY hard to eat a single serving because the sweet and salty balance makes trail mix taste so good. Suggestion: Portion out the trail mix into serving sizes in small resealable plastic bags or containers.
You know that the easiest way to eat better is to read labels and really work at portion control. But if you’re like me, when it comes to certain foods, this is the easiest thing to do: DON’T BRING IT INTO THE HOUSE!
