There are many foods disguised as healthy alternatives on the shelves of supermarkets. These included packaged foods that you can carry with you for a quick snack or substitute for a meal. Likewise, most energy drinks on the market are foods disguised as healthy. They contain sugar, additives, artificial food coloring, and flavoring. They can elevate glucose levels for a while with the same rapid decline as many energy bars. Some replace lost electrolytes, but they add high amounts of unwanted sugar.

Foods Disguised as Healthy Alternatives

Some of these products are:

• Granola bars and energy bars
• Sport and energy drinks
• Non-dairy creamers

Granola and Energy Bars Disguised as Healthy

Granola bars are a quick fix for cereal. They contain fiber, usually in the form of oats and other grains. They also contain sugar, fat, and preservatives for flavor. Many bars advertised as healthy alternatives include chocolate and food coloring. Most include as much sugar and calories as a candy bar or a large cookie.

Yes, they are convenient, but you get better nutrition and fiber from a banana or apple. Granola bars are slightly better than a muffin or pastry.

Energy bars are designed to elevate your blood sugar level before a workout or other exercise. Many of them have high caloric content like granola bars. They may elevate your blood sugar for a short time, but give you a rapid decline that is not healthy. Candy bars do the same.

Energy bars may claim to be high in protein and fiber as well as sugar. That makes them better than straight candy bars but not as good as a piece of fruit.

Energy Drinks Disguised as Healthy

Like their solid equivalents, energy drinks contain sugar. Gatorade was one of the earlier sport drinks developed to replace lost salt and potassium from sweating during a workout or game. It also contains sucrose and dextrose sugars from high fructose corn syrup along with citric acid, food coloring, natural and artificial flavors. It does replace lost electrolytes, but water with a splash of lemon or lime juice does the same thing without the sugars and additives.

Non-Dairy Creamers Disguised as Healthy

These popular flavorings for coffee are loaded with high fructose corn syrup, chemicals, and preservatives. You are better off adding non-fat milk and a drop of vanilla extract if you want to flavor your coffee.

Learn to Identify Foods Disguised as Healthy

Dietitians at NYC Weightloss Solutions will show you how to identify foods by carefully reading labels. If sugar is in the first four listed ingredients, it probably is not a healthy food for anyone working on losing weight. Contact NYC Weightloss Solutions for a free consultation by clicking below or calling 212-579-8118.

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