9 Foods You Think Are Healthy But Aren't (sparkpeople.com)

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9 Foods You Think Are Healthy But Aren't (sparkpeople.com)

Submitted by: sal 07/07/2009 10:01 AM

I was shocked to read this article on Sparkpeople.com: 9 Foods You Think are Healthy but Aren't. Sadly saw lots of my favorite 'diet' foods on this list. Still can't believe granola made the list! See the Sparkpeople article for some healthier alternatives to these hi-cal, hi-fat, hi-sugar "health foods."

Also on the list:

Vitamin-Enriched Water (full of sugar & calories)

Granola (full of added fat & sugar)

Spinach Wraps & Pasta (just food dye added, not nutrition)

Broccoli & Cheddar Soup (as with all cream soups, full of fat)

Veggie Chips (just as fatty and caloric as regular chips - and in my opinion they don't taste as good, so might as well just have chips!)

Muffins (lots of fat, calories & sugar)

Pretzels (lots of sodium and zero nutritional value)

Yogurt-Covered Raisins (contains more hydrogenated oil than it does yogurt)

Diet Soda

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Comments:

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I'm not sure I'd heed this advice. Compared to other foods these are probably MORE healthy.

Posted by Amy in Silver Run, MS on October 09, 2009 8:05 PM

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I agree with these hidden hazards. Why drink sugar water when plain water is free? And many granola bars are no better than cookies. Although, Kashi peanut butter bars are low in sugar and all natural. Store-bought muffins are sure to make you LOOK like a muffin, but you can make your own healthier ones with honey and whole wheat flour. Best for snacking is fresh fruit - an apple a day, you know!

Posted by Jennifer Long on October 27, 2009 8:35 AM

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homemade granola can be made with no fat and minimal sugar. The recipe I use uses 8 cups of oats and only 1/4 cup of pure maple syrup or honey - you can add to it as you wish either making it healthier (flax seed, raw almonds) or junkier (chocolate chips, salted nuts) as you see fit. But in and of itself, it isn't necessarily full of fat and sugar.

otherwise, I totally agree with the above. Junk.

Posted by anonymous on October 27, 2009 3:20 PM

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The same goes for muffins. If you make your own, there are lots of ways to make them healthful. You can use whole-wheat flour (or at least half white, half wheat), throw in some oats, reduce the sugar, or substitute unsweetened applesauce for all or part of the oil. Just don't eliminate every trace of fat (including the egg yolk), or they'll come out too tough.

Posted by haverwench on November 10, 2009 4:33 PM

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I love Oatmeal and try to use it often when I bake, especially quickbreads or muffins. My kids don't like it that much, or they think they don't, so if I'm going to put it into a recipe I will grind it up in the blender first and the oatmeal flakes turn into oat flour, totally undetected by my picky eaters.So I then
use half regular All Purpose flour and half oat flour for better nutrition.

Posted by anonymous on November 11, 2009 1:11 AM

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wilma I love oatmeal try peanut butter in oatmeali it good.

Posted by anonymous on November 12, 2009 6:12 PM

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What will take my hot flashes away?

Posted by Ina Friesen on November 13, 2009 10:07 AM

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Very good article, great website! I agree with your reader too that making it at home gives you control over quality and ingredients.

Posted by anonymous on December 01, 2009 6:19 AM

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you had a recipe for homemade microwave popcorn. I swear I saved it, and now I cannot find it. It was made in a brown paper bag. I finbally bought some loose popcorn from the boy scouts and I want to make it. Any help out there? I love this web site

Posted by kathy on January 14, 2010 4:46 PM

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Hi Kathy -

Yes, we found a few tips for homemade microwave popcorn here on Tip Hero. The first tip below is probably the one you're thinking of -- having to do with using a paper lunch bag.

Hope these help!

Make Your Own Microwave Popcorn
http://www.tiphero.com/tips_1852_make-your-own-microwave-popcorn.html

Can You Save $100 by Popping Your own Popcorn?
http://www.tiphero.com/tips_343_can-you-save-100-by-popping-your-own-popcorn.html

Posted by anonymous on January 14, 2010 6:10 PM

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