Don’t be fooled! Just because it looks healthy doesn’t mean it is!

Don’t be fooled!  Just because it looks healthy doesn’t mean it is!

A guide to healthy snacking

One of the hardest things about learning to live a healthy life is recognizing what is good for you and what isn’t.  With buzz words like “all natural” and “reduced fat” it is hard to know what choice is the best at the grocery store!  Here are some helpful tips to guide you in making the right choices that won’t hurt your budget or your waistline. 

1)    Turn the package over

When you’re standing in front of the peanut butter, don’t automatically reach for the “reduced fat” option.  When manufactures remove the fats from products it leaves them tasting like cardboard.  To fix the flavor they will add in processed sugars, which increases the number of calories you are taking in.  Read the label to see what it is that you are actually eating.

2)    Pay attention to serving size

Trail mix might seem like a great on-the-go snack option.  It is a staple in the outdoors man’s survival pack and a favorite among campers everywhere.  But pay attention- A bag of tail mix may contain two or three servings and with high amounts of sodium and fat, it can really rack up the calories and your blood pressure. 

3)    Avoid the flashy “health claims”

Buzz words can be deceiving.  “All natural” can be found on cereals, frozen dinners, potato chips- you name it.  But that doesn’t mean it is a healthy choice.  Again, read those labels!  Cane sugar is “all natural,” as are many saturated fats.  If you’re trying to watch your weight and lower your cholesterol, you want to limit these things. 

4)    What to look for

Some phrases are important to keep in mind when you are shopping for those healthy choices.  Whole grain, for example, is a healthier choice when choosing breads, pasta, and grains.  These options help to prevent blood sugar spikes, which ultimately can result in weight gain.  Reduced sodium is also a good thing to keep an eye out for!  Lowering your sodium intake can help to lower your blood pressure, which in turn lowers your risk of cardiovascular disease. 

5)    Try this, not that

Frozen yogurt is a tasty summer treat, but it is not as healthy as you might think.  Just like ice cream, it contains high levels of sugars and fat.  And once you are done adding your toppings it can become quite the calorie filled snack.  Instead try regular yogurt from the refrigerator section.  Unlike the frozen variety, this yogurt contains live cultures, which are beneficial to digestive health.

Click here to learn more about living a healthy lifestyle, or call (888) 534-5333 to learn more about our healthy living classes.