There are some delicious things that we believe to be nutritious, and healthy, and good for us but are actually full of hidden fats and sugars. Discover the innocent looking culprits that are secretly sabotaging your diet.
Healthy foods that can be bad for you
Firstly, congratulations on actually eating breakfast! The bad news? Not all cereals are made equal. While granola is loaded with healthy nuts and oats it's also full of oil and sugar, making it anything but a light way to start the day. Just one bowl can contain around 500 calories. Love the taste but not the calories? Switch to bran and have a sprinkling of granola on top instead.
Healthy foods that can be bad for you
Dried fruit may sound healthy but don't be fooled into thinking it's a low-calorie option. Gram for gram, dried fruit contains around six times more calories than the fresh kind. Removing the water may increase the fibre, but it also makes it a much denser, calorie-rich snack. Eat a cup of grapes and you'll consume 60 calories. Eat a cup of raisins and it's more like 460.
Healthy foods that can be bad for you
Choosing a veggie burger may save you some cholesterol, but won't necessarily save you calories. Many veggie burgers are made with cheese to bind them, or contain fried beans, making them more calorific than those made from beef. A Burger King veggie burger contains 420 calories. A hamburger with relish, on the other hand, contains just 260 calories.
Healthy foods that can be bad for you
They may look pretty and sound a whole lot healthier but root vegetable crisps, such as parsnip, beetroot and carrot, are still fried and therefore high in fat. A 40g packet of Tyrells mixed root vegetable crisps contains 196 calories and 13.9g of fat – 3.6 grams more than their potato crisps.
Healthy foods that can be bad for you
Made from bean curd, tofu contains a relatively large amount of iron and is low in calories and fat. But - order it in a restaurant and it's likely to come deep-fried and served in a rich calorific sauce. The problem is that tofu is so bland, it's often fried and then drenched in a fattening sauce to give it flavour.
Healthy foods that can be bad for you
A single cup (8fl oz) of fresh orange juice may contain more than your daily recommended amount of vitamin C, but it also comes packed with natural sugars. Just one cup contains 122 calories and 30g of carbohydrates – bad news for anyone on a low-carb diet. Plus, who can stop at one cup? Try mixing fruit juice with water, or better still, opt for a sugar-free cordial instead.
Healthy foods that can be bad for you
You might think you're at least safe with a salad! While you can keep the fat content down at home by using a light dressing, restaurant and fast food salads are often laden with hidden calories. Croutons, creamy or olive oil-based dressings, cheese and nuts can all make an innocent-looking salad as fattening as fish and chips.
Healthy foods that can be bad for you
While research has shown that eating dark chocolate every day can help reduce high blood pressure, it's still high in fat and sugar – and piling on the pounds isn't going to do your health any favours. Most research shows you need to eat about 3.5 ounces of dark chocolate to enjoy its health benefits. As that contains 400 calories, you'll need to watch what else you eat.
Healthy foods that can be bad for you
Nuts are an excellent source of fibre, protein and minerals and contain 'good' monounsaturated fats that can help lower cholesterol for a healthy heart. Unfortunately for the dieter, they are high in calories and fat. Just seven Brazil nuts contain 190 calories, so go easy on that nut and fruit trail mix!
Healthy foods that can be bad for you
They're rich in potassium, a mineral that helps protect against high blood pressure, and contain 'good' monounsaturated fat that can help to lower cholesterol. However, anyone watching their weight should still eat avocados in moderation. A medium-sized avocado contains 290 calories and 30 grams of fat, as much as a quarter-pound burger.