30 "Healthy" Foods That Aren't

[Kat]

30 "Healthy" Foods That Aren't

Be wary of hot-button words on food labels. "Reduced-fat" products usually have less fat and "all-natural" foods often do come from ingredients actually found in nature. But not all health-related words on food packaging are defined by the Food and Drug Administration, leaving certain gray areas for manufacturers to exploit. So while those phrases, and others like them, would seem to indicate that the products inside the packages are somehow "healthy," the reality is often something very different. As likely as not, "reduced fat" means "increased sugar." As for products that are "all natural"? Well, so are hurricanes and tidal waves.

The kicker: The most deceptive word of all might be "healthy." Because there is no way to really define it, the FDA has no way to regulate it. What's more, just about anything out there can be healthy—or unhealthy—in the right amounts. In this slideshow, we dig deep, below the surface labels, and expose the real truth behind some of the food industry's most specious health claims.

30. Worst Canned Fruit
Dole Tropical Mixed Fruit in Passion Fruit Nectar (1/2 cup)
90 calories
0 g fat
20 g sugars

29. Worst "Healthy" Snack
Pop-Secret Kettle Corn (4 cups popped)
180 calories
13 g fat (3 g saturated, 6 g trans)
150 mg sodium

28. Worst Herbal Beverage
Arizona RX Energy Herbal Tonic (20-ounce can)
300 calories
0 g fat
73 g sugars

27. Worst Cold Cut Sandwich
Subway Cold Cut Combo (6", on 9-grain wheat bread with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, pickles, olives, and mayo)
530 calories
29 g fat (8 g saturated, 0.5 g trans)
1,670 mg sodium

26. Worst "Ideal" Meal
Jamba Juice Ideal Meal Chunky Strawberry
590 calories
18 g fat (3 g saturated)
55 g sugars

25. Worst Caesar Wrap
Blimpie Chicken Caesar Wrap
607 calories
29 g fat (9 g saturated)
1,586 mg sodium

24. Worst Fish Sandwich
Burger King Big Fish Sandwich
630 calories
32 g fat (5 g saturated)
1,540 mg sodium

23. Worst "Healthy" Breakfast
Dunkin' Donuts Pumpkin Muffin
650 calories
29 g fat (5 g saturated)
520 mg sodium
91 g carbohydrates

22. Worst "Healthy" Chinese Meal
Panda Express Beijing Beef
660 calories
41 g fat (7 g saturated)
860 mg sodium

21. Worst "Market Fresh" Sandwich
Arby's Market Fresh Roast Turkey and Swiss
710 calories
30 g fat (8 g saturated, 1 g trans)
1,680 mg sodium

20. Worst "Healthy" Frozen Dinner
Bertolli Grilled Chicken Alfredo & Fettuccine Skillet Meal for Two (1/2 package)
710 calories
42 g fat (22 g saturated)
1,370 mg sodium

19. Worst Veggie Pizza
Papa John's Pan Crust Garden Fresh Pizza
740 calories
38 g fat (12 g saturated)
1,320 mg sodium
78 g carbohydrates

18. Worst "Healthy" Soup
P.F. Chang's Chicken Noodle Soup
759 calories
24 g fat (4 g saturated)
4,135 mg sodium
92 g carbohydrates

17. Worst Salad Sandwich
Boston Market Chicken Salad Sandwich
800 calories
41 g fat (7 g saturated, 5 g trans)
1,900 mg sodium

16. Worst Vegetable Pasta
Bob Evans Garden Vegetable Alfredo
809 calories
48 g fat (20 g saturated

15. Worst Turkey Burger Meal
Ruby Tuesday Turkey Minis and Fries
873 calories
46 g fat
88 g carbohydrates

14. Worst "Healthy" Italian Meal
Olive Garden Grilled Shrimp Caprese
900 calories
41 g fat (17 g saturated)
3,490 mg sodium

13. Worst Cobb Salad
Quizno's Classic Cobb Flatbread Salad
910 calories
58 g fat (12.5 g saturated, 0.5 g trans)
1,890 mg sodium
61 g carbohydrates

12. Worst "Healthy" Sandwich
Atlanta Bread Company California Avocado Sandwich
930 calories
50 g fat (11 g saturated)
25 g protein
1,120 mg sodium

11. Worst Asian Salad
P.F. Chang's Chicken Chopped Salad with Ginger Dressing
940 calories
68 g fat (10 g saturated)
2,225 mg sodium

10. Worst Seafood Meal
Red Lobster Maui Lau Shrimp and Salmon with Rice Pilaf and Broccoli
1,015 calories
19.5 g fat (4 g saturated)
3,000 mg sodium

9. Worst Rollup
Applebee's Chicken Fajita Rollup
1,050 calories

8. Worst Seafood Salad
Romano's Macaroni Grill Seared Sea Scallops Salad
1,170 calories
94 g fat (27 g saturated)
2,680 mg sodium

7. Worst Veggie Sandwich
Blimpie Special Vegetarian (12")
1,186 calories
60 g fat (19 g saturated)
3,532 mg sodium
131 g carbohydrates

6. Worst Sliders
Ruby Tuesday Bacon Cheddar Minis (4 burgers)
1,358 calories
86 g fat
75 g carbohydrates

5. Worst Chicken Salad
T.G.I. Friday's Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad
1,360 calories

4. Worst Mexican Salad
Chevy's Fresh Mex Tostada Salad with Chicken
1,551 calories
94 g fat (37 g saturated)
2,480 mg sodium

3. Worst Tuna Sandwich
Quiznos Tuna Melt (large)
1,760 calories
133 g fat  (25 g saturated, 1.5 g trans)
2,120 mg sodium

2. Worst Salad, Period
California Pizza Kitchen Thai Crunch Salad
2,115 calories

1. Worst "Healthy" Food in America
Romano's Macaroni Grill Parmesan Crusted Sole
2,190 calories
141 g fat (58 g saturated)
2,980 mg sodium
145 g carbohydrates

More info and pics at this link http://eatthis.menshealth.com/slideshow/30-healthy-foods-arent#title

[Linny]

Thanks for posting that!
I also stay away from "enriched". Sounds good but that only means that they've killed the good  and natural nutrients and put in man-made ones that do nothing for you.
Also, added "Calcium" is only a cooked, dead type which actually pulls the good calcium out of your teeth and bones.

[Kat]

Some of the high numbers on this list were shocking to me   
There should be awarning on the menu for some of these things.  At least I have some idea of what to avoid.

Kat