Popular Health Foods That Are Actually Junk in Disguise

25. Commercial Salad Dressings (Especially "Light"): Flavor at a Cost

Salads are healthy, but the dressing can quickly sabotage your efforts. Many bottled dressings, particularly creamy ones or vinaigrettes, are loaded with hidden sugars, high amounts of sodium, unhealthy oils (like soybean or canola), and artificial ingredients. Ironically, "light" or "fat-free" versions often compensate by adding even more sugar or sodium to make up for the lack of fat. Making your own simple dressing with olive oil, vinegar, and herbs is almost always a healthier, more transparent choice.

26. Flavored Instant Oatmeal: Quick Sugar Rush

Plain rolled oats are a fantastic source of fiber and complex carbs. However, those convenient single-serving flavored instant oatmeal packets are frequently packed with added sugar (sometimes multiple types), artificial flavors, and sodium. What starts as a potentially healthy breakfast becomes more akin to a sugary cereal, leading to a blood sugar spike and subsequent crash. Stick to plain oats (quick-cooking is fine) and add your own fruit, nuts, or a small amount of natural sweetener for control.