Popular Health Foods That Are Actually Junk in Disguise

Lisette Marie

23. Protein Bars (Highly Processed): More Than Just Protein?

Crop unrecognizable teenage girl eating healthy protein bar. Photo Credit: Envato @javi_indy

Capitalizing on the demand for protein, many bars promise muscle support and satiety. While some are well-formulated, a vast number are essentially candy bars with added protein isolate. They often contain high amounts of sugar (or sugar alcohols which cause digestive upset for some), unhealthy fats, artificial sweeteners, and a lengthy list of processed ingredients. Always check the full nutrition panel and ingredient list; a truly healthy bar should have minimal added sugar and recognizable whole-food ingredients.

24. "Baked" Potato Chips & Snacks: Better Than Fried? Maybe Not.

Homemade Spicy LIme and Pepper Baked Potato Chips. Photo Credit: Envato @bhofack2

Choosing "baked" over "fried" sounds like an obvious health win, reducing fat content. However, baked chips and snacks are often still made from refined potato or corn flour, heavily salted, and may contain added sugars or artificial flavorings to compensate for taste. They generally lack fiber and substantial nutrients. While lower in fat than their fried counterparts, they remain highly processed snacks that can impact blood sugar and don't offer much nutritional value compared to whole foods.

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23. Protein Bars (Highly Processed): More Than Just Protein?

24. "Baked" Potato Chips & Snacks: Better Than Fried? Maybe Not.

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