Five foods you thought were healthy - but aren’t

Some things just don’t do what they say on the tin.

We’ve all done it. As anyone who’s had a bad relationship would testify (and that’s most of us), some things you think are good for you, are actually doing exactly the opposite.

It’s the same with our relationship with food. They may look like they are good for you - even have a healthy-sounding name – but in reality they are doing us all kinds of damage.

I know what you are thinking – you can’t eat anything these days without some smug git telling you it’s bad for you.

Well, no. Some things are good for you. It’s just that DietPixie doesn’t want you snacking on stuff you think is good for you when actually it’s clogging up your arteries.

Fair enough? Ok, let’s begin. Number one: fruit. Just kidding!

5. Breakfast bars
It may sound like a healthy and convenient choice when you are constantly on the move, but a lot of them are far from it.

Why? Well, most of them are made from refined flours, meaning most of the goodness has been removed.

Fibre? Forget it. Nutrients? Hardly a trace.

Ah, but they are low in fat, right? Not quite. In fact, a lot of the bars you can buy are rich in fat, sugar and hydrogenated oils, which clog up your arteries.

So what do you do? You can still buy breakfast bars, just be a little choosy with which ones you buy. Look for the ones that are made with oats and are low in fat.

4. Popcorn
I know what you’re thinking: how can a nice bag of popcorn at the pictures hurt? Well, quite a lot, as it happens.

Believe it or not, they are jam-packed with those nasty hydrogenated oils again. You remember then from the breakfast bars? Yeah, they are the ones that basically clog up your arteries.

If you want something to eat at the cinema, try walnuts instead. They are just as tasty (OK, I’m biased, I hate popcorn), and contain healthy fats and friendly oils like omega-3.

3. Pretzels
Some people go under the misguided notion that pretzels are a healthy alternative to crisps.

Certainly, one serving of pretzels contain one gram of fat compared to the 10 grams contained in the same serving of crisps.

However, they basically have no nutritional value at all. In fact, any they did have, such as fibre, has been taken out in the process of making them. It explains why you never feel full eating them. I know I don’t, errrr, I mean, didn’t.

Try tortilla chips instead.

2. Muffins
No, not muffins, I hear you cry. Yes, innocent little muffins, even when they have berries in them, are full of calories. As much as 900 in some cases – 20-plus grams of fat!

That’s because you need a large amount of margarine to make them.

Now, if you really can’t resist, simply be choosy in your choice of muffin. Opt for one that has real fruit and is made from wholegrain flour.

1. Yoghurt
Now, some yoghurts can be very good for you. They are full of nutrients and biological ingredients that help give you a healthy gut.

But be very careful in your choice of yoghurt. Read the label carefully. It could have as much fat in it as a low-fat ice cream.