Diet Food Myths Debunked

Just because food looks healthy doesn’t mean it is.

1. Wraps

Wraps are touted as a better bread alternative but some tortillas are just colored white bread, hiding three times the carbs and calories of a slice of bread!

Instead Try: *An Open-Faced Sandwich*

Beat the wrap with an open-faced “value-full” sandwich of real greens and grilled chicken on whole grain toast.

2. Green Tea

A green tea energy drink sounds good for you, right? Wrong! One sweet 20-ounce bottle packs the same calories of 37 calories.

Instead Try: *Water With Lemon*

Water is always the way to go. Punch it up with lemon or another fruit to please your palate.

3. White Rice Sushi

Sushi, there’s nothing deep-fried about sushi, but a typical roll contains up to 350 calories and the carb equivalent of two and a half to four slices of bread. In short, one California roll = two sandwiches.

Instead Try: *Brown Rice Sushi*

Not all sushi is bad. For cut rolls, go for brown rice and request “easy on the rice.” Better yet, skip the rice altogether, order hand rolls and add a side salad.

4. Fatty Salads

Salads rule, but not with sneaky calorie-filled toppings. Adding blue cheese, balsamic vinaigrette, candied walnuts and dried cranberries packs an extra 810 calories to your salad. That’s the equivalent of a slice of pizza, a donut, two string cheese sticks and a snack bag of chips!

Instead Try: *Lean Salads*

Keep your salad heavy on the greens, with colorful veggies and lean proteins. Want extra crunch? Toss in beets, hearts of palm, snap peas, or oil-free sun-dried tomatoes.

5. Frozen Diet Meals

Calorie counters love frozen diet meals, but lots are over processed with no substance. A sample meal is breaded dark meat chicken, pasta, and just a sprinkle of veggies, which is high on carbs, low on good-for-you antioxidants and fiber.

Instead Try: *Frozen Turkey Burgers*

Frozen food can be super cool, especially if you choose a frozen turkey burger warmed up and tossed over bagged mixed green and light dressings.

Source: cosmpolitan.com