Dietitian reveals 4 sneaky ‘health halo’ foods to avoid

granola/granola bars

“Granola may seem like a healthy cereal option, but it has tons of added sugar to form clumps,” Smith told the Post.

She recommends eating granola as a topping rather than a bowlful of high-calorie granola.

For similar reasons, Smith reports that granola bars should be used as a last resort. “Granola bars can be used as a light snack when you need some quick and easy calories during a workout, but they should only be used as a backup if you miss a meal or have no other options. ” she says. “For nutritious snacks, we usually recommend fruits and vegetables that contain healthy fats and protein sources.”

Smith suggests eating apples and peanut butter, hummus and carrots, cottage cheese and pineapple, or Greek yogurt and berries.

trail mix

Trail mix may seem like a healthy snack, but Smith warns against gobbling up GORP (granola, oats, raisins, peanuts).

“Trail mixes have a well-meaning history, but many commercially available trail mixes contain candy, chocolate, sweet nuts, or large amounts of dried fruit, making serving sizes less than we expect. “It’s far less than I would like to consume,” she says. “Trail mix is ​​very energy-dense, so it’s great on the trail when you don’t have access to a refrigerator while hiking.”

reduced fat peanut butter

Peanut butter often gets a bad rap in the press, but Smith extols the benefits of making it full-fat.

“Peanuts are naturally rich in heart-healthy fats. To make peanut butter ‘low-fat,’ manufacturers add fillers to dilute the product,” she explains. “Typically, the fat content is reduced by a few grams, but the sugar content and ingredient list increase.”

Smith told the Post that different nut butters contain different vitamins and minerals, and switching between peanuts, almonds, cashews and sunflowers is a surefire way to get the benefits of each. .

Vitamin and fat burning energy drink

“Unless you are deficient in B vitamins, such as vitamin B12, getting B vitamins from energy drinks will not give you more energy,” says Smith. That’s a red flag. ”

For those looking to boost their metabolism and fat-burning potential, Smith recommends strength training and a solid sleep schedule. “Incorporate strength training twice a week to build muscle mass and boost your metabolism,” she says. “Lack of sleep can stress the body and increase appetite, so getting enough sleep (about eight hours a night) is the best way to boost energy levels and regulate hunger. It’s a method.”