14 'Health Foods' That Aren't as Nutritious as You Thought

There are plenty of foods that are advertised as healthy, but these 14 health foods aren’t as nutritious as you thought and might even be hiding ingredients that cause more harm than good, especially if you eat them regularly.

Organic Juice

If you think you’re doing yourself a favour by choosing organic juice, think again. Studies show that it doesn’t have any more nutritional value than regular fruit juice and is no healthier for you than soda. After all, it still contains loads of sugar. So if your goal is to cut calories and lose weight, opt for water or unsweetened iced tea instead of fruit juice—and save your money!

Granola

It’s a breakfast staple in many households, but when you check your granola label, you may be surprised to find that it contains a higher amount of sugar than some desserts. In fact, it’s often nearly as high in sugar content as Coca-Cola. Add up to 6 tablespoons of sugar per serving and mix in about 200 calories for every 3/4 cup serving—that’s a calorie nightmare!

Orange Juice

While you might think orange juice is a good source of vitamin C, it's not. In fact, most orange juices are no different from sodas because they are made with sugar and lots of it. Instead of getting your daily dose of vitamins from drinkable oranges, why not eat one instead? They contain more nutrients than juice does and will fill you up much longer than a glass of OJ ever could.

Coconut Water

When coconut water first hit store shelves in North America a few years ago, it had a certain allure. Advertised as being super-hydrating and full of nutrients that we can only get from nature, it sounded like a healthy choice. Coconut water has also been called an effective hangover cure. But does it live up to its marketing hype?

Yogurt

While yogurt is commonly considered to be healthy, it can actually contain a lot of added sugar. And that’s a problem because studies show that excess consumption of sugar-sweetened foods and drinks—including fruit juices, sodas, smoothies and yogurt—can increase your risk for diabetes and other diseases. Instead, opt for plain organic yogurt or Greek yogurt without any added sweeteners (and no added sugars in fruits and veggies) when buying these products.

Chocolate Milk

Many schools have switched from offering white milk to chocolate milk, claiming that it’s a more nutritious option for kids. In reality, there are only trace amounts of cocoa in chocolate milk, meaning that you’re not getting any added health benefits with your snack. Stay away from chocolate milk, and opt for low-fat or fat-free milk instead. You’ll be missing out on extra sugar (12 grams vs. 9 grams) and calories (170 vs.

Cereal

A lot of us rely on cereal for breakfast, but many popular brands are loaded with refined sugars and unhealthy trans fats. The average box of corn flakes contains more than 25 grams of sugar. If you’re looking to lose weight and feel good, choose cereals that contain whole grains such as buckwheat, millet or quinoa. These ingredients will give you more satiating protein and fibre than processed oats.

Flavoured Yogurt

It might be called low-fat or chocolate, but don’t let that fool you: flavoured yogurt is packed with added sugar. A study published in BMJ Open found that all varieties of flavoured yogurts, including strawberry and vanilla, contain more added sugar than cereals such as Honey Smacks. And a 6-ounce serving of low-fat strawberry yogurt contains 11 grams of added sugar—the same amount in a chocolate chip cookie!

Fruit Snacks

Fruit snack bars are often marketed to parents as a healthy alternative to candy bars, but in reality, they’re just sugar-laden snacks that offer almost no nutritional value. According to Health Canada, packaged fruit snacks can contain up to two or three times more sugar than regular candy bars. When it comes to fruit consumption, parents should be aware of portion sizes; one small apple contains nearly two servings of fruit.

Protein Bars

If a bar has a lot of protein and very little sugar, it’s probably marketed as a weight-loss or fitness product. But oftentimes, these bars are loaded with processed ingredients and toxic additives. If you want to lose weight, steer clear of protein bars.

Smoothies and Juices Section: Peanut Butter

It's a staple in most households, but peanut butter is also high in fat, and—even if you choose one with just two ingredients (peanuts and salt)—it can pack as many calories as a candy bar. One tablespoon clocks in at 190 calories. It's a great source of protein, but why not find healthier ways to add it to your diet? Make your own or try one of these healthy brands. Butter: Not all fats are created equal!