Diet Food Fakes

Believe it or not, designer diet food is big business—and it’s an industry full of deception and contradiction. The true bottom line is that many so-called diet foods can actually make you fat. So, it’s time to get the skinny on what foods you may think are good for your waistline, but really aren’t.

Juice

Fable: Fruit juice is a good source of vitamins, minerals and enzymes that may help trim your shape. A tall glass is a great way to load up on fruit servings.

Fact: Pure fruit juice is a prescription to gain weight. It may be loaded with nutrients and enzymes, but it’s also packed with glucose (sugar) and calories. In addition, remember that the word ‘natural’ is an advertising word with little regulatory definition. That means that the label may read ‘natural fruit juice’ but only contain 5% real juice. The rest of the juice is likely to be sugar-loaded fillers.

Turkey/Chicken Burgers and Hot Dogs

Fable: Burgers and hot dogs made from turkey or chicken are leaner alternatives to beef or pork.

Fact: These options are only leaner if they’re made from skinless poultry, which many aren’t. Also, be aware that many restaurants combine ground poultry with ground beef and do not actually serve beef-less burgers.

Salad Kits

Fable: Complete salad kits save time in the kitchen and calories too.

Fact: Salad kits may save time, but they often pack a mountain of calories in the dressing provided. In fact, some salad in a bag varieties may contain as much as 500 calories and more than 40 grams of fat! So, you’re better off dressing the salad with your own low or fat-free dressing instead of using the dressing in the kit.

Sugar-Free Cookies

Fable: Sugar-free cookies are low in fat and calories.

Fact: Sugar-free cookies can contain as much fat and calories as regular cookies. Incidentally, this applies to fat-free versions as well.

Cereal

Fable: Breakfast cereals labeled ‘whole grain’ are healthy and low in fat and calories.

Fact: This cereal may contain some whole grain, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t contain 14 grams or more of sugar too. This applies to cereals labeled as ‘smart’ too. And, be particularly wary of those labeled as ‘crunchy’ or ‘honey nut,’ since this usually indicates that they are seriously sweetened. When in doubt about cereal, read the nutrition label on the back to get the real scoop.

Power Bars

Fable: Power bars provide quick energy in a low-fat and calorie treat.

Fact: These bars may be convenient and provide an energy boost, but they can also be loaded with refined sugars (i.e., high fructose corn sugar) and saturated fat. A quick glance at the ingredient list is needed. A good choice will list whole grain or protein as the first ingredient, usually from whey or soy. It should not contain more than 300 calories (as a meal replacement) or more than 1 gram of saturated fat.

Reduced Fat Peanut Butter

Fable: Reduced fat peanut butter is lower in calories.

Fact: This type of peanut butter may contain as many calories as the original. That’s because it’s been formulated to contain carbohydrate fillers in place of the fat that’s been removed.

Lite Beer

Fable: Lite and low-carb beers are lower in calories than regular beer.

Fact: Sorry to burst your bubble of yeast, but neither are lower in calories than regular beer. In fact, either may contain as much as 100 calories in each serving.

Low-Carb Pasta

Fable: Low-carb pasta has fewer calories than regular pasta.

Fact: Pasta labeled as low-carb has as many calories as the regular variety. In fact, this is true for many low-carb products, not just pasta. In the case of low-carb pretzels, there’s a real twist—they contain more calories than regular pretzels!