Eating healthy is tough enough, without certain junk foods disguising themselves as healthy choices. Here is a list of some of the worst culprits, and some better alternatives:
Baked potato chips: May be low in fat, but they’re still high in calories and aren’t nutritionally beneficial.
Alternative: Popcorn - Still salty and crunchy, but high in fiber and lower in calories.
Gummy fruit snacks: They’re basically candy with vitamins. They also contain high-fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils.
Alternative: Fresh or dried fruits - Antioxidants.
Light ice cream: Not all light ice creams are low in calories (they’re just low-ER than their full-fat counterparts). Plus, since they don’t have the rich taste you’re looking for, you’re more likely to eat more than one serving.
Alternative: Dairy-free ice cream - It still has a great taste and texture, with fewer calories.
Diet soda: Research shows a possible link between diet soda and heart disease.
Alternative: Flavored seltzer water - No calories, no artificial colors or sweeteners, but it’s fizzy and flavorful.
“Calorie-free” spray margarine: Being labeled, “Calorie-free” means there could actually be as many as 5 calories in a serving.
Alternative: Spray-it-yourself olive oil - This real fat can be more healthy and flavorful than the “fake” stuff.
Nonfat salad dressing: They’re often high in calories cause they’re packed with sugar.
Alternative: Oil-based salad dressing - You’ll get the taste and good-for-you fats.
Low-fat cookies: You think you can indulge, but they’re still filled with sugar and may have tons of calories.
Alternative: Oatmeal cookies - You’re getting cookies AND whole grains. But be careful you’re not also getting high fructose corn syrup, white flour, and butter.100-Calorie Snack Packs: These small packages fool you into believing you’re not eating much, and therefore you end up eating more.
Alternative: A small-serving of almonds - You get fiber and protein, plus good fat.
It’s important to try to keep your immunity at its best during the cold and flu season. Here are some foods that could help you stay healthy:
1300+ - If you’re not eating enough calories, you’re not giving your health a fighting chance. Women should get at least 1300 calories daily.
Get your cruciferous veggies: Broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts.
Snack on nuts - Almonds and sunflower seeds are high in vitamin E, and this vitamin may help reduce the length of colds. Brazil nuts contain selenium, which helps the body fight off disease.
Eat yogurt - Helps the immune system, through the digestive track.
Sip green tea - Stimulates T-cells that stimulate the immune system.
Open a can of tomato soup - Lycopene in tomatoes acts as an antioxidant, which, again, boosts the immune system.
Spice it up! - Capsaicin, found in chili peppers, also boosts immunity.
Get your fats - While low-fat is healthy, make sure you’re getting Omega3 and Omega6 from foods such as salmon, sardines, flaxseed, safflower oil, and eggs.
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