Seriously!?!? Is this really a healthy snack?

Mindful_Trent

Honestly the whole debate on "healthy" and "unhealthy" is out of hand. I'm a 100% believer in the idea of, a fat is a fat, a carb is a carb, and protein is protein. Regardless of where you're getting them from, my honest opinion is that companies create these "healthy" type snacks in order to get people to pay more or even just to choose their product over another because of the health claims they make. Don't fall victim to these companies scams do your own research. The bag of potato chips or the bag of nuts and granola are really no different. Besides the price of course.

There is so much wrong here I don't even know where to begin refuting it.

I think I understand where the person who wrote the original quote above was coming from, though the end result was certainly confusing and a bit misguided. When I read it, I interpreted it to be pointing out that many of the foods that are sold/advertised as "health" "diet" etc. foods are really not all that good for us, or even all that different from the non-diet/non-health-food counterparts. Many of them are super processed.

HOWEVER - the part about it not mattering where the carbs/fat/protein comes from is the misguided part. Most people will recognize that 50g of carbs from something like quinoa will leave them feeling much better than if it came from something like a candy bar. The more calories you get from non/minimally processed foods the better off you will be - it will have more of the natural minerals/vitamins and fewer additives.

My criteria for determining what is healthy is not how the food is advertised/labeled, but what the ingredient list actually says.

stylistchik

I'll disagree, I don't think it's ignorant at all. "Healthy" is too often a marketing ploy used to trick people into buying products they don't need. It's up to us as consumers to read the labels and make informed choices.

Honestly the whole debate on "healthy" and "unhealthy" is out of hand. I'm a 100% believer in the idea of, a fat is a fat, a carb is a carb, and protein is protein. Regardless of where you're getting them from, my honest opinion is that companies create these "healthy" type snacks in order to get people to pay more or even just to choose their product over another because of the health claims they make. Don't fall victim to these companies scams do your own research. The bag of potato chips or the bag of nuts and granola are really no different. Besides the price of course.

There is so much wrong here I don't even know where to begin refuting it.

It's just ignorant spatter. :grumble: I'd ignore it but it bothers me when people ask good questions and get crap answers.

I agree we need to make our own choice but it's not as simple as this guy tells everybody. Saturated, unsaturated, monounsaturated, and trans fats all react differently with your body it's not as simple as "fat is fat" and "sugar is sugar" unless you don't care about your health.

houstonmacbro

Additionally, I have stopped eating cereals. I know a lot of people swear by 'whole grains', but I am not sold ... even the good stuff has a lot of salt and sugar ... I'd rather have a half of a sweet potato in the a.m. than cereal.

agentscully514

Me too. Twenty years ago it was possible to find cereal with low sugar. now it seems virtually impossible, even in a natural food store. Granola is some of the most sugary stuff out there.

I do still eat yogurt, but only plain.

Additionally, I have stopped eating cereals. I know a lot of people swear by 'whole grains', but I am not sold ... even the good stuff has a lot of salt and sugar ... I'd rather have a half of a sweet potato in the a.m. than cereal.

Rilke

I'll disagree, I don't think it's ignorant at all. "Healthy" is too often a marketing ploy used to trick people into buying products they don't need. It's up to us as consumers to read the labels and make informed choices.

Honestly the whole debate on "healthy" and "unhealthy" is out of hand. I'm a 100% believer in the idea of, a fat is a fat, a carb is a carb, and protein is protein. Regardless of where you're getting them from, my honest opinion is that companies create these "healthy" type snacks in order to get people to pay more or even just to choose their product over another because of the health claims they make. Don't fall victim to these companies scams do your own research. The bag of potato chips or the bag of nuts and granola are really no different. Besides the price of course.

There is so much wrong here I don't even know where to begin refuting it.

It's just ignorant spatter. :grumble: I'd ignore it but it bothers me when people ask good questions and get crap answers.

I agree we need to make our own choice but it's not as simple as this guy tells everybody. Saturated, unsaturated, monounsaturated, and trans fats all react differently with your body it's not as simple as "fat is fat" and "sugar is sugar" unless you don't care about your health.

Yes, this is what I meant (mostly). The part about marketing is true, but the rest is just plain wrong.

agentscully514

Agreed that it's a bit more complicated. The fats are very different. As a far as sugar goes, I am very sugar sensitive and I'm not really convinced that there are "healthy" sugars. Sugar is sugar to your body ... the only difference with so called healthy sugars is that they are released more slowly.

My main point was, I just get instantly riled up when I see an advertisement touting "healthy" food. It's a hot button word since so much crap is out there.

I agree we need to make our own choice but it's not as simple as this guy tells everybody. Saturated, unsaturated, monounsaturated, and trans fats all react differently with your body it's not as simple as "fat is fat" and "sugar is sugar" unless you don't care about your health.

houstonmacbro

Agreed that it's a bit more complicated. The fats are very different. As a far as sugar goes, I am very sugar sensitive and I'm not really convinced that there are "healthy" sugars. Sugar is sugar to your body ... the only difference with so called healthy sugars is that they are released more slowly.

My main point was, I just get instantly riled up when I see an advertisement touting "healthy" food. It's a hot button word since so much crap is out there.

I agree we need to make our own choice but it's not as simple as this guy tells everybody. Saturated, unsaturated, monounsaturated, and trans fats all react differently with your body it's not as simple as "fat is fat" and "sugar is sugar" unless you don't care about your health.

You do have to make your own food choices and know that what is 'healthy' to someone might be considered 'unhealthy' by me. Example: Whole grain cereal and soy. Many people think those are healthy, but I feel they are not so healthy for ME. I've seen what they do to MY body and I don't like the results. But mileage varies...

GurleyGirl524

So, I ate my "granola mix" this morning. There was very little granola in it, mostly raisins and dried cranberries, there were walnuts and peanuts. I never bought this to try before because it is very expensive and bought it now because it was on a really good sale. Now, next time I will save my money and just buy some raisins if I want a sweet chewy snack.

stylistchik

Agreed that it's a bit more complicated. The fats are very different. As a far as sugar goes, I am very sugar sensitive and I'm not really convinced that there are "healthy" sugars. Sugar is sugar to your body ... the only difference with so called healthy sugars is that they are released more slowly.

My main point was, I just get instantly riled up when I see an advertisement touting "healthy" food. It's a hot button word since so much crap is out there.

I agree we need to make our own choice but it's not as simple as this guy tells everybody. Saturated, unsaturated, monounsaturated, and trans fats all react differently with your body it's not as simple as "fat is fat" and "sugar is sugar" unless you don't care about your health.

I like the saying "If a product has to advertise how healthy it is, it probably isn't"

melbellkid

I have a sweet/salty addiction-I replaced most of my junk with a new favorite combo-a clementine and a handful of pistachios-you get the sweet and the pistachios give the salty/crunch. Plus it gives me a fruit and a protein for under 100 calories and really fills me up and is pretty healthy barring the salt from the pistachio.

vs1023

To much sugar In yogurt Almonds are great protein

The Emerald breakfast is sugary. Better breakfast on the go -> yogurt and a handful of almonds.

Not if you do greek yogurt and it has a lot of protein

Sounds like you need a more filling breakfast. Cheerios won't cut it. Try some cheese w/an apple, oatmeal with some almond butter or walnuts and a little coconut milk, apple with almond butter, greek yogurt with some berries and nuts, eggs with some grape tomato on ezekiel bread.

vs1023

Additionally, I have stopped eating cereals. I know a lot of people swear by 'whole grains', but I am not sold ... even the good stuff has a lot of salt and sugar ... I'd rather have a half of a sweet potato in the a.m. than cereal.

Agreed for me too! In a time crunch I do have some Kashi heart to heart (that go lean stuff is loaded with sugar though!) and I add in some protein with it and a good fat to try to balance it all out.

houstonmacbro

Additionally, I have stopped eating cereals. I know a lot of people swear by 'whole grains', but I am not sold ... even the good stuff has a lot of salt and sugar ... I'd rather have a half of a sweet potato in the a.m. than cereal.

Agreed for me too! In a time crunch I do have some Kashi heart to heart (that go lean stuff is loaded with sugar though!) and I add in some protein with it and a good fat to try to balance it all out.

And see, that's the problem. You dodge sugar, it has fat. You dodge fat, it has sugar. You dodge salt ... it probably has the other two. It's like walking in a mine field.

learningtolove

Also consider that the fat in potato chips is coming from oil and the fat in your snack mix is healthy nut fat. The carbs in the chips are simple potato carbs and the nut mix is complex wheat carbs,

erxkeel

Almonds, Apples my favs.

Articeluvsmemphis

The Emerald breakfast is sugary. Better breakfast on the go -> yogurt and a handful of almonds.

I don't like the Emeralds (for taste) but I think they coat most of those breakfast items in corn syrup of something to that effect. I like their cashews though (salted) - we want healthy fats

add some fruit as well. only cheerios for breakfast? need more

GoStaceyGo

in my opinion, protein and health bars are really just candy bars with extra protein and fiber if your lucky. even snickers makes a protein bar! cmon now. if you can stay away from them. i keep some luna bars around just in case i am in a pinch or i forgot one of my meals. i had one the other morning for breakfast but only because i didnt sleep at home and it was that or nothing.

houstonmacbro

in my opinion, protein and health bars are really just candy bars with extra protein and fiber if your lucky. even snickers makes a protein bar! cmon now. if you can stay away from them. i keep some luna bars around just in case i am in a pinch or i forgot one of my meals. i had one the other morning for breakfast but only because i didnt sleep at home and it was that or nothing.

Yeah, I am learning to keep those just in case snacks too. When meetings run long or lunch gets delayed, it's nice to have a bag of carrots, dried apricots ... something to keep me sane and not reaching for something unhealthy like the crap that's in the office or meetings (bagels, donuts, candy) ...

I've also thrown out a lot of the bars I used to eat. They sabotage you with at least 200 calories and a lot of it is sugar. Even the 'healthy' ones that are sold in the natural aisles. You're right, they are really glorified candy bars.

agentscully514

Dried fruits aren't the healthiest food either. Very sugary and calorie dense. I think the natural food industry (and it is an industry like any other) has invested a lot of money and effort into brainwashng people that dried fruit is health food. Far better to eat fresh fruit.

agentscully514

I'm going to get attacked for the fruit thing, I bet.
Yes, I know dried fruit has nutrients and fiber. I just think too many people think they can eat it in unlimited amounts, and that is due largely to marketing. The calorie concentration in dried fruit can be very high, and the sugar concentration can be bad for people like me with sugar sensitivity.

houstonmacbro

Dried fruits aren't the healthiest food either. Very sugary and calorie dense. I think the natural food industry (and it is an industry like any other) has invested a lot of money and effort into brainwashng people that dried fruit is health food. Far better to eat fresh fruit.

Portion. I have learned that a small snack bag with exact 1/4 cup of either dried figs or dried apricots is about 110 calories. Drink with plenty of water and you'll be set for another couple of hours.