So, I just had a baby 6 weeks ago and of course, I want to get back to my pre-baby weight.  It’s a given that I have to exercise to lose weight, but the type of foods I eat and what I drink can also aid my weight loss venture.  So, I did a little research on the internet on the types of foods I think are healthy and boy, was I surprised.  I love turkey burgers and dried fruit and fruit smoothies because they taste good and I thought, for the health benefits.  I came across this website that had an article titled 14 Health Foods That Aren’t!  I was dismayed to see that turkey burgers and fruit smoothies and dried fruit was on the list of 14.  Below, I’ve listed why this article considers turkey burgers, fruit smoothies and dried fruit unhealthy.  In addition, I’ve listed two more thought-to-be healthy foods and their alternatives.

1.  Turkey Burger

850 calories
50 g fat

Eat this instead!

7-oz sirloin steak

350 calories
20 g fat

People hear turkey and automatically think lean and healthy, but depending on the type of ground turkey and toppings used, one of these poultry patties can be every bit as fatty and caloric as a beef burger. Sirloin, on the other hand, is one of the leanest cuts of meat available, which makes for an incredibly satisfying, protein-enriched meal that will keep you feeling fuller, longer.

2.  Fruit Smoothies

600 calories
120 g sugars

Drink this instead!

100% fruit smoothie

350 calories
75 g sugars

Many fruit smoothies contain added sugars and high-fructose corn syrup, which means they’re more milkshake than smoothie. The key here really is in the name: A 100% fruit smoothie made with plain yogurt instead of ice cream or sherbert will contain nearly half the calories and significantly less sugar, plus it will provide all of the vitamin and antioxidant capacity that a smoothie is supposed to have.

3.  Dried Fruit

175 calories
45 g sugars

Eat this instead!
Fresh fruit, like an apple or a peach

70 calories
15 g sugars

Okay, so dried fruit won’t totally derail a day of good eating (unless you put down an entire bag of banana chips), but it’s far from being a harmless snack. First, because the dehydrating process sucks most of the volume from the fruit, you can eat cups of the stuff, and 600 calories later, still not feel any fuller. More troubling, though, is the fact that companies like Sun-Maid and Ocean Spray almost invariably add a ton of sugar to the fruit, making Craisins closer to candy than Mother Nature’s original intention. In this case, the choice is clear: Stick to the real stuff.

4.  Granola Bar

200 calories
15 g sugars

Eat this instead!

1 oz cheddar cheese with Triscuits

150 calories
5 g sugars

Ever wonder what keeps a granola bar together? The makers of one of America’s favorite (and most misunderstood) snacks use mostly high-fructose corn syrup as their glue, which in turns quickly raises blood sugar and cancels out any of the potential benefits you might otherwise get from the oats. By switching over to good old-fashioned cheese and crackers, you swap out sugar and calories for protein and fiber.

5.  Bran Muffin

420 calories
20 g fat

Eat this instead!

Ham, egg and cheese on an English muffin

300 calories
12 g fat

Bran muffins are comprised of two things your body doesn’t want in the morning: sugar and refined flour. Both will work to spike your blood sugar, which signals your body to start storing fat and sets you up for a mid-morning crash. And with only trace amounts of fiber, there’s nothing healthy about this misunderstood muffin. The breakfast sandwich, on the other hand, is a surprisingly great way to start your day. Besides having fewer calories, fat, and carbs, it also offers about 20 grams of protein, which we really need in the morning to jumpstart our metabolism.