Do You Have Impostors in Your Fridge?

Food manufacturers advertise, imply, or otherwise lead you to believe that what you are buying is good for you--whether it really is or not.

I want you to have all the facts at your fingertips so you can make wise choices the next time you fuel your body, whether you're eating out or selecting food from your local grocery store. Here's a trio of health-food impostors to watch for, the kind of low-nutrition fakes that can trick you into thinking you are eating well.

Health Food Impostor: Smoothiesr
Refreshing, filling fruit drinks are popping up everywhere. The beverage names, full of words like "health" and "energizer," sound nutritious and even vital. But in reality, these supersized beverages, chock full of milk, added sweeteners, or even ice cream turn a potentially healthful fruit blend into a treat that can pack 500 calories. Not exactly the smart snack you thought, right?

The Good-Health Real Dealr
If you like smoothies, try making your own. Here's my recipe: Blend together unsweetened almond milk, a scoop of greens antioxidant powder, some protein-packed chia seeds, omega- and fiber-rich flaxseeds, organic frozen or fresh blueberries, and a teaspoon of nut butter. After I drink one in the morning, I feel satisfied and energetic for hours.

Health Food Impostor: Iced Tear
Does tea sound like a lower-calorie alte
ative to a fruit smoothie? Not necessarily. I must admit that I was truly surprised when I learned that a leading coffee chain has sugar in their iced tea brew. The problem is that many of us don't know that an abundance of sugar is already in the drink before we go and add more by habit. The result: a refreshing drink with more sugar than a candy bar (even though we skipped all the syrups and flavoring, in case you were wondering!).

The Good-Health Real Dealr
Be sure to ask whether the iced tea (or coffee) is unsweetened. If not, you might be handed a drink with a cola's worth of sugar.

Health Food Impostor: Farmed Salmonr
If only the salmon on every menu were equal to the quality and rich nutrition of wild salmon! But in fact, farmed salmon has lower levels of calcium and brain- and immunity-boosting omega-3 fats than the wild variety. Wild-caught salmon is also far less likely to be contaminated with trace chemicals and heavy metals. The two don't even look alike. Did you know that wild salmon gets its pink color naturally while the farmed variety is often colored artificially? (Ick.)

The Good-Health Real Dealr
Avoid buying just any salmon. Be specific and look for the wild salmon, even if it's in a can. Eating out? Ask! A restaurant that serves only wild salmon will be proud to say so. Sorry to say wild is much pricier and generally less available than the inferior kind, but the benefits are well worth it. Added bonus: Wild salmon has a flavor superior to the farm-raised variety.

I want you to see and feel dynamic, positive results in your overall wellbeing in the shortest possible time. One of the best ways to do that is to be smart about what you eat. High calorie, low nutrition food and drinks are often wrapped in false good-health claims, ready and waiting to derail your best efforts. Put your food savvy to work, though, and these health-food phoneys don't stand a chance.