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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
Your brain runs on glucose, only glucose. It appears the author "thinks' that is a bad thing. It shows.
September 27, 2011 - 3:17amThis Comment
Why oh why did the NYT post a link to this lame article?
That is the only really valid question.
Eat fresh vegetables.
End of story.
Sham! Wow!
September 24, 2011 - 1:56amThis Comment
Because the NY Post and Washington Times should not be confused with the more Reputable NY TIMES and Washington POST.
September 28, 2011 - 1:23amThis Comment
First world problem....
September 24, 2011 - 1:11amThis Comment
This article should be retitled 'six seemingly healthy foods you should avoid' since ketchup, juice, and chips aren't actually vegetables. Lame.
September 22, 2011 - 4:49amThis Comment
Like others, I was led here from a different site expecting to find information on veggies I should avoid. But as we have seen, the list has little to do with vegetables. So let's make our own list of vegetables (without the quote marks). For example, being diabetic, I have learned to avoid starches such as potatoes and rice. An occasional ear of corn is okay for me, but not the two of them I used to sometimes eat at one meal. And I will grant the writer that vegetable juices, such as V8, are loaded with sugars, natural and otherwise. What else should we put here?
September 20, 2011 - 3:49amThis Comment
I got referred here from elsewhere and am not coming back. Just like to say I don't like the universal use of "veggies" for vegetables. In this article, the word "vegetables" is used in every heading, then changies to "veggies" in the main text. Are we all four-year-olds? Is "vegetable" so hard to say? Sheesh.
September 20, 2011 - 12:34amThis Comment
Real simple: eat as much unprocessed food as you possibly can, minimize salt and sugar, maximize your fiber intake and stop buying any foods that come to you in boxes. That last part is just a blunter form of the first part of sentence one.
This is not brain surgery, people just want it easy and that's ruining their health in large part.
September 15, 2011 - 2:50amThis Comment
Who wrote this misleading article? Yes corn and fruits contain sugar, but the difference is in their complexity. Fruit (and corn) sugar converts to fructose and is converted into sucrose and glycogen, which is broken down and absorbed by the bodily at a slower rate than refined cane sugar, and does not have a major impact on blood glucose levels. Because of its low glycemic index, diabetics are encouraged to eat fruits and vegetables (and even corn). So, enjoy your corn and ignore these lame-brains that think they know everything.
September 13, 2011 - 1:59amThis Comment
"Tell us what you think"..........Somewhere out there a village is deprived of its idiot. And here's another one-liner - "I'd love to see your point of view, but there's only room for one head up your ass."
September 13, 2011 - 12:19amThis Comment