5 'Healthy' Food Items That Are Just Overhyped

Health freaks always want to ensure that whatever they are eating is actually aiding their physical and mental well-being. While some of the food items they prefer and promote are confirmed to be nutritional powerhouses, there are also some that are just highly overrated in terms of food value.

In fact, many of the so-called "healthy" food items that the internet wants you to stock up on and obsess about may not be as good as you think. This is why it pays to be vigilant when trying to determine which items to include in your diet.

Now here are some unhealthy food items that have come to be wrongly perceived as nutrient-rich:

Frozen Yogurt

Just because it is yogurt doesn't mean it is always healthy. Although yogurt has been regarded as a healthy food option because its probiotic content is linked to good gut health, it is actually no different from ice cream when frozen. Its health benefits are also lost when it is sprinkled with sugar and other sweet toppings like pretzels, crushed cookies and candies.

Granola

Granolas are considered gluten-free. However, they are secretly loaded with butter, vegetable oil and even white sugar. Regardless of what brand of granola you are buying, you may be unconsciously consuming a lot of calories every day. But if you really love the cereal and there's nothing that could ever stop you from consuming it, always remember that supermarkets also have low-sugar granola options on their shelves.

Dried Fruits

Many people resort to munching on dried fruit instead of candies to cut down their calorie intake. What they do not realize, however, is that these dried fruits are not good for their teeth. And in case you don't know, they can also decrease the saliva secretion in the mouth. This can lead to more oral health problems since having a lower saliva level in your mouth makes it more susceptible to bacterial growth.

Protein Powder

Protein powders are consumed to help your body meet its protein needs after strength training. While protein supplement is necessary to help your muscles recover, consuming it in excess can lead to digestive problems. Hence, replacing protein powder with meat, oily fish or egg is a better choice.

Whole Wheat Bread

Whole wheat bread is not as healthy as you are conditioned to think. That's because many loaves of whole wheat bread, especially those sold as "honey wheat bread," are actually loaded with fructose. It only means one thing: You are getting nothing but calories by consuming them.