Healthy Foods That Pack on the Pounds

Say granola and most people will instantly think, “nature” and “healthy.” It sounds good for you, right? But take a closer look and you will see that the some ½ cup serving sizes of granola can pack a whopping six grams of fat and 200 calories! And it’s not just granola. Every day people mistake otherwise unhealthy foods—wrapped in good-for-you packaging—as a food item that is part of a healthy diet.

The truth is, these foods are packing on the pounds, not helping to take them off. Read on to learn about the three of the biggest offenders and how you can keep them out of your diet for good.

* Energy Bars—Sure, some of them really can be a good snack to tide you over until dinner time, but watch for ones that are loaded with calories. If you gotta have one, look for a calorie-controlled bar, like a 100-calorie Balance Bar, with about five grams of protein.

* Salads—Believe it or not, these leafy greens can make great friends with calories. Before ordering a salad, make sure to check its nutrition information and don’t forget to take into account calories from toppings and dressing – sometimes they are listed separately. Also, asking for dressing on the side for small dips is always an easy solution.

* Smoothies—How can fruit be bad, right? Wrong. Smoothies are infamous for being packed with added calories from milk or sugar. If you want to get your fruity fix, make sure to look for a drink made with whole fruit, low-fat yogurt and no added sugars.

Make these watchful-eye habits a part of your weight loss plan and you will notice the results.

Have more hidden-calorie tips? Share them here! [Eating Well]