Student Article

Did you know some foods that seem healthy are actually not? Let's learn about them!

Not all "healthy" foods are as they seem

Some foods we eat, like pasta and rice, are good for us. But others, like chips and candy, are not. Some foods look healthy but are actually very processed. This means they have been changed a lot from their natural form.

Ultra-processed = ultra-risky

Eating too many processed foods can be bad for our health. It can cause problems like heart disease and diabetes. It's important to know which foods are really healthy.

Sneaky foods to watch out for:

Ready meals

These are meals you can buy already made, like lasagna and frozen pizza. They often have added preservatives and lots of salt. Cooking at home is better because you can add more vegetables and whole grains.

Plant milks

These are drinks made from plants, like almond milk. They are very processed and don't have as many nutrients as regular milk. It's important to shake the carton well to get the nutrients.

Meat substitutes

These are foods that look like meat but are made from plants. They are very processed.

Meal replacement drinks

These drinks say they have all the nutrients you need. But they don't have other healthy things found in natural foods. It's better to eat a variety of foods.

Breakfast cereals

Some cereals, like oats, are healthy. But others have lots of sugar and are more like dessert.

Granola bars

These bars can be very processed and have lots of sugar and salt. They are not as healthy as eating whole foods.

© Dr. Emma Beckett / Our Media