6 "Healthy" Foods To Skip

These foods all sound healthy, but don't be fooled -- they may not be as healthy as they seem.
banana chips

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Banana chips

Photo by: Santhosh Kumar

Santhosh Kumar

These foods all sound healthy, but don't be fooled -- they may not be as healthy as they seem.

Ground Turkey

Don't be duped into choosing "ground turkey" as a leaner alternative to ground beef. The truly leaner choice is ground turkey breast – that'll save you more than 100 calories and 15 grams of fat per 4-ounce serving compared to ground turkey which contains more dark meat and skin.

Pick up some turkey breast and try these 5-ingedient turkey burgers.

Banana Chips

Sorry folks, these babies aren't just dried up banana slices, they're fried, just like potato chips. A half-cup serving has almost 200 calories and 10 grams of fat! The good news is, you can make your own and forgo all the grease.

Sushi

Fish, rice and seaweed won't get you into too much trouble, but when your favorite roll is stuffed with fried fillings and creamy sauces the calories can soar. Pay attention to the ingredients so you don't pile on the pounds. Dip lightly in the soy sauce, one tablespoon has nearly 40% of the daily recommendation for sodium.

Find out how to order healthy sushi.

Bottled Teas

They may seem like a smarter choice but these bottled beverages can contain as much as 6 teaspoons of sugar per cup (and most bottles are double that volume). All those sugary calories leads to bulging waistlines and may also increase risk of diseases like diabetes and cancer. A recent report indicates that as many as 25,000 deaths annually may be attributed to excess intake of sugary drinks. Stick to flavored waters and seltzers instead.

High-Fiber Bars

Packed with sugar and faux fibers, don't let the healthy-sounding brand names trick you. Check ingredient labels and choose bars made with minimally-processed ingredients like whole grains, nuts, seeds and dried fruit.

Breakfast Cereals Made With "Real Fruit"

Seems like every brand of breakfast cereal is touting the presence of "real fruit" inside the box. Dried bits of sweetened and red and blue-dyed clusters shouldn’t be confused for the real thing. This investigation from NBC News explains.

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition. See Dana's full bio »

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