I’m a dietitian, watch out for these 4 sneaky “health halo” foods.

Are you cheated on your healthy food?

Courtney Smith, registered dietitian, diabetes specialist and founder of Keys to Nutrition, warns against “health halo” foods that are marketed as healthy but hide harmful ingredients. Smith tells The Post that the deception lies in the packaging and promotion of these foods.

“Many terms and descriptions on front packaging can make a product appear to be health promoting, but don’t be fooled!” she says. “I tell my customers to turn to the nutrition facts label on the back where the information is more regulated.”

Interestingly, several foods perceived as indulgent are better for us than products marketed as beneficial. Which guilty pleasures are good for you? Potatoes, eggs, butter, whole milk, nuts and fatty fish.

And then there are the “health halos” Smith shares four you need to know before you hit the grocery store.

Granola/granola bars

Smith tells The Post, “Granola may seem like a healthy cereal choice, but it contains a lot of added sugar, which is used to form the lumps.”

She recommends eating calorie-dense granola as a topping rather than in the bowl.

For similar reasons, Smith advises that granola bars should be used as a last resort. “Granola bars can be used as a light snack if you’re working out and need quick, easy-to-eat calories, but should only be used as an alternative if you miss a meal or have no other options,” she said. to say. he says “For a nutrient-dense snack, I usually recommend a fruit or vegetable with a source of healthy fat or protein.”

Smith suggests reaching for apples with peanut butter, hummus with carrots, cottage cheese with pineapple, or Greek yogurt with berries.

Trail mix

Trail mix may sound like a healthy snack, but Smith cautions against gorging on GORP (granola, oats, raisins, and peanuts).

“Trail mix has a history of good intentions, but many commercially sold trail mixes contain candy, chocolate, sugary nuts, or a lot of dried fruit, so the serving size is much smaller. than we would want to consume,” he said. he says “Trail mix is ​​very energy-dense and meant for the trail when you’re hiking and don’t have access to cooling.”

Reduced fat peanut butter

Although peanut butter often gets a bad rap in the press, Smith praises the fattening merits.

“Peanuts are naturally high in heart-healthy fats! To make peanut butter ‘reduced fat,’ manufacturers dilute the product by adding fillers,” she explains. “The fat content is typically reduced by a couple of grams, while the sugar content and ingredient list increase.”

Smith tells The Post that different nut butters contain different vitamins and minerals, and switching between peanut, almond, cashew and sunflower is a surefire way to reap the benefits of each.

Energy drinks that burn fat and vitamins

Smith warns, “Unless you’re deficient in a B vitamin like B12, consuming B vitamins in an energy drink won’t give you more energy. Any food product that says ‘fat burner’ on the label is a red flag, and point”.

For those looking to boost their metabolism and fat-burning potential, Smith recommends strength training and a solid sleep schedule. “Try to incorporate strength training exercises twice a week to increase your muscle mass, which will increase your metabolism,” he says. “Getting adequate sleep of around eight hours a night is the best way to boost energy levels and regulate appetite, as lack of sleep is considered a stressor to the body and can increase appetite.”