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If something has the word “vegetable” in its name, it’s a healthy option, right? Wrong! A lot of seemingly harmless vegetable-labeled dishes are packed with sugar and calories. Next time you’re reaching for a healthy snack, be sure to check the label and avoid these six secret saboteurs.
1. Ketchup:
Even though ketchup is seemingly harmless, it’s packed with high fructose corn syrup and sugar. Next time you’re looking for something to dip into, opt for salsa, spices, or nothing.
2. Corn:
Corn actually isn’t a vegetable. It’s a grain. While corn does have its fair share of B and C vitamins, it’s also loaded with sugar. An average-sized ear can have up to 15 grams of sugar. As with most grains, corn is best enjoyed in moderation.
3. Vegetable Juice:
When trying to reach the five-a-day fruit and veggie requirements, it’s easy to reach for a can of veggie juice. When fruits and veggies are juiced, the majority of their nutrients and fiber are compromised. Veggie juice boasts a whopping two servings of veggies per serving, however, those veggies are smothered with sugar-enhanced fruit juices. As delicious and tempting as store-bought juice might be, check the label before ingesting.
4. Veggie Chips:
If you’re addicted to the crunch of potato chips but avoid ’em because of the grease and carbs, veggie chips would seem like a logical options. Unsurprisingly, most veggie chips are deep-fried and primarily made with corn and potatoes. Those rich red and green hues come from food coloring, not bell peppers and zucchini.
5. Canned Vegetable Soup:
Canned veggie soup seems like a healthy, low-cal meal option, right? Not always. They’re often laden with excessive amounts of sugar and sodium. While soup is a great option, stick to the homemade variety.
6. Vegetable Tempura:
While it seems like common sense that any veggie that’s thrown in the deep fryer should not be included in any diet regimen, many people think tempura is ok because tempura is touted as a light batter. Wrong. Tempura is loaded with sugar, oil, and cornstarch, a sure-fire way to sabotage your diet.
Edited by Jody Smith
Add a Comment56 Comments
I don`t think ANY vegetables should be in your diet. Except possibly fried onions and french fries. I eat nothing but meat and bread and have lived a long and healthy life. I am 46 years old and I have only had one heart attack, which I survived. Is bread a vegetable? Anyway, all respect to the lady that posted earlier who went poopy in the gutter whilst walking her poodles. Vegetables will do that to you and when you gotta go, gotta go. Musta taken some guts to do that at the side of the road.
December 24, 2011 - 5:54amThis Comment
The article should have been headed, "Processed vegetables are not good for your health!" Misleading header obviously designed to attract readers...and nothing new in its content.
October 22, 2011 - 12:18amThis Comment
In Botany there is no such thing as a "Vegetable". This makes the point in Number two questionable.
October 19, 2011 - 6:01amThis Comment
Not one vegetable mentioned in this "Vegetable" article.
October 18, 2011 - 4:33amThis Comment
While there is a great discussion going on about corn and HFCS, I do want to mention a couple things.
October 10, 2011 - 3:11amThere are baked vegetable chips, natural real vegetables, mostly root vegetables, taro, sweet potato and parsnips (yum), that are available. Yes, considerable starch (complex carbohydrates) and sugars. For example, parsnips become sweeter if left in the ground over winter or stored at cooler temperatures. I don't know the chemical make up of these sugars and that would definitely determine its impact as it is metabolized in the body.
I have had two sources now mentioning that soy will slow your metabolism down through some sort of modification of thyroid function. At least one mentioned that corn too, slows metabolism. That's one reason cattle are fed corn and soy, so their metabolism slows down and they gain weight faster.
That goes the same for us.
Thyroid problems are horrendously under diagnosed because of the many factors that influence the active form of the thyroid hormone. You have to realize that hormones are terribly important in the functioning of our bodies.
This Comment
I don't know why anyone would take articles like seroiusly...are you going to REALLY use this as a diet guide for yourself or your family?...People, this is stuff is merely for entertainment and tha's all!!
October 8, 2011 - 4:24amThis Comment
Essentially the author is addressing people who eat a lot of processed foods.
If you eat fresh fruit and vegetables, no fried foods and moderate dairy, the "grain" in fresh sweet corn is a good diet addition. Whole grain breads are also OK.
Reading ALL the labels is essential. Our marvelous and widely varied diet does not contain any food coloring, artifcal flavors, preservatives, soy, extenders etc etc etc...it can be done. It is just a new and very inexpensive way of thinking and eating...yes we eat meat also, none processed of course and all carefully selected for lack of antibiotics, growth enhancers and processing...of course!
October 7, 2011 - 11:00pmThis Comment
lies about the ketchup. it only has 20 cal per serving (1TBS). a 1lbs bottle has 33 servings. if i ate the whole bottle that is 660 cal...and when is the last time someone used a whole bottle at one setting...for their person.
October 6, 2011 - 9:53pmThis Comment
I FIND MANY INTRESTING ARTICLES AND WOULD LIKE NOT TO MISS ANY USEFUL TOPICS YOU POST HERE
October 2, 2011 - 11:27pmThis Comment
I think I'll go eat a cheeseburger. Which is at least made from a real cow. Has to be better than all the veggies that aren't veggies.
September 28, 2011 - 1:26amThis Comment