Food Myths: Unhealthy Foods You Think Are Healthy

Some of the most persistent food myths revolve around unhealthy foods that have acquired healthy connotations. Whether this is because of science that was once true but later proven false or simply very effective marketing, you may be falling prey to chomping down on food you could easily be avoiding! Get informed with our list of commonly misunderstood foods you need to keep out of your meal management system.

Veggie Burgers

Veggie burgers are beloved among vegetarians and vegans alike for their ability to take the place of the burgers of carnivores no matter what the occasion. One of the most common food myths, however, is that they are all healthy. In fact, a great deal of the frozen options available are no more than highly processed patties loaded up with more fillers than actual vegetables, all in an effort to create that coveted burger-like texture. Make sure to check the ingredients on your next veggie burger selection to ensure that real vegetables are at the top of list.

Energy Bars

Energy bars are seen as an easy on-the-go snack, perfect for stashing in your gym backpack or meal management system, but it's important to be mindful of the ingredients. Surely it's possible that one of the reasons food myths persist is due to careless nutritional label reading. Some energy bars aren't that far off from candy bars in the amount of saturated fat, sugar, and hydrogenated oils they contain. Many energy bars are intended to function as meal replacements as well, which means they often have a great deal of calories. Unless you're engaging in high-intensity training, look for energy bars with fewer calories than a meal replacement bar, a decent amount of protein, and not much sugar.

Packaged Granola

Granola is often viewed in a similar vein as energy bars: as an easy, portable protein- and/or fiber-filled snack. Packaged granola, however, often contains an obscene amount of sugar, and contains just as much chocolate and sugary dried fruit as it does nuts and seeds. Create your own granola mix with natural granola, seeds, nuts, and dried fruit instead.

Packaged Turkey

Lovers of clean eating are quite often proponents of turkey when it comes to their meat selections, and it's not hard to understand why. Turkey provides good lean protein and it makes for an easy and turkey sandwiches make for all-too-easy healthy lunches. The problem with turkey, however, is the packaged kind, which often contains up to one-third of the maximum recommended daily sodium intake! Keep your eyes peeled for low-sodium packaged turkey and/or load up on fresh slices as often as possible to stay abreast of one of the most prevalent food myths.

Baked Beans

The nutritional benefits of beans are often highly touted, but it's important to remember that those benefits generally aren't in reference to the campfire staple of baked beans. Too much sugar and unnecessarily high calories mean you should probably relegate this old favorite back to the campgrounds in your memories. Get your fill of bean protein with other varieties, such as garbanzo or kidney.

Canned Soup

Unfortunately for those who thrive on the ease of canned soup, it's not necessarily a viable healthy option. The deadly combination is the sodium, preservatives, and other additives that simply aren't necessarily for your daily consumption. Some organic brands offer varieties low in sodium, but it's still important to consider the benefits of fresh foods or homemade alternatives to store in your meal management system. If you already knew the truth behind all these foods myths, we commend you. And if you learned something new today, we're glad to have provided some useful nutritional guidance. Whether you rock meal management systems like the Innovator 300, gym backpacks like the Elite Voyager, or gym totes like the Elite Vixen, keep your nutrition game on track by staying knowledgeable about the best foods to eat. Did we miss one of your pet peeve food myths? Let us know in the comments!