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14 Health Foods that aren't Healthy

menshealth.com — The 14 most punishing health ruses

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  • fitqueenb, on 04/29/2008, -30/+9So true, most either contain dairy or meat, so that makes them bad for you anyhow, or some heavy duty dressing for the salads. Great list.
    • Tenlow, on 04/29/2008, -0/+15Actually most of the alternatives to the "health foods" contained dairy and meat, sometimes in greater quantities. The point isn't dairy and meat are bad, the point was unhealthy crap shouldn't be considered healthy.
    • Tweekster, on 04/29/2008, -4/+12Dairy and meat are very good for you.
    • ICSU, on 04/29/2008, -4/+2Who suggested that junk food was healthy in the first place? Advertising? And sheep accepted that as always?
  • Croecop, on 04/29/2008, -24/+7Vagina?
    • chrisinsocalif, on 04/29/2008, -4/+4Only infected vagina's are bad, clean ones are good.
    • kefkastudio, on 04/29/2008, -1/+1Vagina is NOT food.
  • TRScheel, on 04/29/2008, -11/+47Buried for 14 pages

    Side Note: Does anyone know of a firefox plugin or something that will display these damn lists on one page? Cuz its obvious the people making them just arent getting the message
    • carpespasm, on 04/29/2008, -1/+24they get the message, they just make more money by having you load 14 pages.
      • lotsa1s, on 04/29/2008, -2/+1I turn on ad block if there's multiple pages for something that could be on one.
    • MikeFallopian, on 04/29/2008, -6/+2Is it that big of a problem? If they have good content, I don't mind clicking a few times to reward them.
      • LizNovack, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Yea but there should be some kind of limit. For photos I don't mind, but text-heavy? tone it down MH!
      • sodade, on 04/30/2008, -0/+2Cracked is just right with two. If the content is good, I'll load another page. If the content is particularly rich, I can deal with a page per list item, but I am talking "data exploration" level richness. Anything less and it is two pages. Someone is usually cool enough to post the full text in a comment so I close multipage lists when they break my rules. We'll learn 'em eventually. Or not.
    • markh100, on 04/30/2008, -0/+5Can't believe no one has mentioned re-pagination yet?

      https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/209 ...

      One of my favorite Firefox plugins. Unfortunately, it doesn't work with this particular article, but it's generally a very useful tool.
  • laserblazer, on 04/29/2008, -18/+4The body treats margarine like an infection until it passes. It's garbage.

    As for dairy, prepare to get, among other things, a vitamin D overdose from fortification (which causes cascade health problems, including, ironically enough, bone brittleness), blood and pus and a nasty dose of animal hormones. It wouldn't surprise me if prion infections were linked to dairy, also.
    • chaosium, on 04/29/2008, -1/+11"The body treats margarine like an infection until it passes. It's garbage."

      Margarine is fine if it's not the partially hydrogenated & trans fatty variety. It's treated as any other food product (not like an infection.)

      "As for dairy, prepare to get, among other things, a vitamin D overdose from fortification (which causes cascade health problems, including, ironically enough, bone brittleness), blood and pus and a nasty dose of animal hormones. It wouldn't surprise me if prion infections were linked to dairy, also."

      Hahahah PETA Garbage.

      I'm not much for too much dairy, but if you're that concerned, buy organic and stop whining.
    • y0smokey, on 04/30/2008, -0/+2One of the most uneducated statements ever made. Ever taken any animal science classes? Ever been to a dairy farm. Shut your mouth until you have.
  • exomni, on 04/29/2008, -16/+7Fruit Smoothies?

    Yeah, blending yoghurt with a bunch of fresh fruit: that's an artery-clogger right there...


    Hint: if it has lots of saturated fats and empty carbs, it's ***** bad for you.
    • JEAH, on 04/29/2008, -1/+7yea, see there's this disease called diabetus... long story short: it sucks and eating too much sugar is a primary factor.
    • yournightmare, on 04/30/2008, -0/+3If you bothered actually reading the article, you would see that it's talking about fruit smoothies with added sugar and high fructose corn syrup.
  • jgambleii, on 04/29/2008, -19/+11So basically, anything that doesn't taste like ass in a can is bad for you. Eat sticks and dirt and you'll be fine.
    • laserblazer, on 04/29/2008, -5/+10A talented, or even practiced, vegetarian cook will blow your mind, baby.
      • jgambleii, on 04/29/2008, -10/+4Don't call me baby.
      • Tweekster, on 04/29/2008, -5/+2For me it doesnt count as a meal unless there is meat with it.
        I don't want to be hungry in 20 minutes
      • sienar, on 04/29/2008, -4/+1i'm not your baby, pal
    • JEAH, on 04/29/2008, -1/+2hilarous! haven't heard that one before. thanks for posting
    • basic0, on 04/29/2008, -1/+9Did you read any of their "Eat this instead" suggestions? Grilled chicken, sirloin steak, ham, egg, and cheese on an english muffin, and fresh fruit all taste like ass in a can?
      • jgambleii, on 04/29/2008, -10/+1You're Canadian. I wouldn't expect you to understand.
  • wettestwillie, on 04/29/2008, -3/+59Not only is it spread out through 14 pages, there's not even a "next" button.
    • wettestwillie, on 04/29/2008, -1/+23Didn't notice this before, but one of the suggestions is instead of having a fruit smoothie, have a fruit smoothie.
      • MrSketch, on 04/29/2008, -0/+4I think it was suggesting that instead of buying a fruit smoothie from someplace, make your own. That way you know that only fruit went into it and maybe yogurt, but not ice cream or sherbet or whatever else they throw in smoothies now.
        • KingGorilla, on 04/29/2008, -1/+2yes we know, don't take away the humor
  • jessestorm, on 04/29/2008, -3/+26Clearly most of the problem is in condiments and sauces. If you made these things at home, without too much crap on them or in them you'll cut calories and fat and all that. Like when I make a smoothie at home, I use fruit, yogurt, milk and protein powder. It ends up being an excellent source of vitamins, protein and fiber.
  • Zlorp, on 04/29/2008, -6/+44Who the hell really thought Margarine was good for them?
    • Tweekster, on 04/29/2008, -0/+9Back in the 1970s that was pushed as the alternative to butter.
      Hence the idea of trans fat being so great and put into everything
      • lotsa1s, on 04/29/2008, -1/+1I cant believe its not butter!
      • twinklyJesus, on 04/29/2008, -3/+1Tweekster, you only missed by 30 years. it was a replacement for butter during the shortages of WWII.
        • dianebl, on 04/30/2008, -1/+4he didn't miss it. Margarine was heavily pushed as a "healthier" alternative to butter in the 70's and 80's.
          • twinklyJesus, on 04/30/2008, -0/+1That is different than "the alternative...". You added a qualifier he didn't use. Oh, and only certain margarines were promoted as healthier. Mazola and Imperial, are the one's that come to mind.
    • ICSU, on 04/29/2008, -2/+5rednecks
    • madeingermany, on 04/29/2008, -1/+3I thought that - and I still do - because the one I buy surely has no trans fats, maybe a little bit of sat. fat (but less then regular butter).

      I checked a couple of margarines I bought before and none of them has trans fats: http://fresh.amazon.com/Search?input=margarine
    • newbill123, on 04/30/2008, -1/+1On the monster that is Marjorine...
      "What are we becoming?"
      "C'mon, Don't watch it feed."
      "Can't I JUST have some Spaghetti-O's?!"
  • marcusx, on 04/29/2008, -9/+2Cool list. Thanks!
    • monsterette, on 04/29/2008, -3/+1...wow, who would have ever thought some of these foods would make it on the list !
  • spmyke, on 04/29/2008, -2/+10Dugg for recommending grilled cheese sandwiches.
  • RobotBuddha, on 04/29/2008, -5/+9"To do so, though, you must be able to spot the many perilous nutritional traps that continue to plague health-conscious consumers every day."

    Or you could just flip it over and read the caloric information rather than assuming an advert would never lie to you about a products healthiness. Most of the "food type" panic is fear far out of proportion to the actual difference any of it would make. Watch your calories, and try to eat a fair amount of food that's been alive somewhat recently.
  • atgmac, on 04/29/2008, -6/+13Buried because I never thought any of these foods were healthy in the first place. Cream cheese? Who thinks that's healthy?
  • bonkeykong, on 04/29/2008, -17/+7It is actually just fine to eat vagina, as long as it isn't diseased. Eating of diseased vagina's may lead to complications such as becoming infected with AIDS. Eating a healthy, wet vagina is a cure for common dry mouth as well as being pleasurable for the woman connected the vagina. Eating a vagina without permission from the connected woman may lead to side effects such as sexual assault charges. It is recommended to eat the least hairy and youngest vagina available, unless this is contrary to laws in your area.
    • GregLoire, on 04/29/2008, -1/+3You're trying way too hard.
      • bonkeykong, on 04/29/2008, -2/+1Other way around; The vagina tries to hard to get eaten.
  • krummb, on 04/29/2008, -8/+31"most either contain dairy or meat, so that makes them bad for you anyhow"

    What?? Meat and dairy are bad for you? That's rich. The calcium in dairy has actually been shown to help inhibit weight gain and help with fat loss. As far as meat, turkey, chicken, and beef are all loaded with protein.
    • Tweekster, on 04/29/2008, -12/+6Milk is one of the best subtances a human can consume
    • azurechaos, on 04/29/2008, -4/+8Calcium itself is good for your body but milk is such a saturated food with fat and cholesterol, if you consume too much of it you can actually reverse any beneficial effects of the calcium. Of course, it's better for you if you get skim or non-fat varieties, but diets high in protein and fat (like that of the average american) can actually leach calcium from your bones.

      Not to mention that having protein does not make something inherently healthy, there are a million other factors to consider in how something affects your body. Most people only need half the protein they consume, there are very few people in Western Countries who have a lack of protein.
  • 9bpm9, on 04/29/2008, -6/+3Funny thing, I just saw an episode of The Office talking about how a turkey burger is good for you.
  • davidkeithjones, on 04/29/2008, -2/+11This list must be taken with a grain of salt. I buy turkey burgers all the time and the fat content is a hell of a lot less than what is listed on the site. The site actually picks the worst case scenario for the featured foods. Plus, cholesterol, trans fat, omega fats are not given any consideration.
    • twinklyJesus, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Maybe frying the turkey burger adds to the fat.
  • myranttoyou, on 04/29/2008, -3/+9Just prepare them healthier or eat something healthy with them. Everything does not have to be black or white.
    • secrity, on 04/29/2008, -3/+4From TFA

      * 1. Bran Muffin
      * 2. Chicken Caesar Salad
      * 3. Tuna Melt
      * 4. Chicken Wrap
      * 5. Turkey Burger
      * 6. Fruit Smoothies
      * 7. Granola Bar
      * 8. Pasta Salad
      * 9. Yogurt with Fruit on the Bottom
      * 10. Bagel with Cream Cheese
      * 11. Pasta Primavera
      * 12. Dried Fruit
      * 13. Fish Sandwich
      * 14. Margarine

    • psyckboy, on 04/29/2008, -4/+1Don't bother. The list is mostly BS.
  • kevinwiz, on 04/29/2008, -4/+15bagel and cream cheese has 700 calories? i'm calling *****.
  • Tweekster, on 04/29/2008, -6/+1Why isn't soy on that list.
  • MrDee23, on 04/29/2008, -2/+5This is important for people to know. There are a lot of things that people assume are healthy that are not. I was shocked the first time I actually looked at the label of my yogurt and saw that it as much sugar as a soda.
    • chaosium, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Go for smaller farms, if you can.
    • matu4251, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2On top of that your yogurt most likely has a fat which is not the case with a can of soda.
    • uberpsycho, on 04/30/2008, -0/+1While flavored yogurt has a lot of sugar, it still has a pretty good about of protein especially if you get the lower fat varieties, making it the lesser of two evils.
  • macweirdo42, on 04/29/2008, -0/+9It really depends on how you make the stuff, doesn't it?
    • glmory, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2Yes, but this article assumed that you were buying one while eating out.
      • macweirdo42, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Oh, oh, I see... I will admit, generally when I eat out or whatever, I just assume that no matter what I'm ordering, it's going to bring me one step closer to beached-whale look.
  • hifidelity1, on 04/29/2008, -1/+7they are assuming you put mayo and cheese, butter and dressing on EVERYTHING... make your own damn food...don't ADD fatty toppings to fresh food do this and you are FINE!
    • zakatov, on 04/30/2008, -1/+1I think that was kinda the point of the whole article
  • longchamp, on 04/29/2008, -1/+15A lot of this article is *****. Even the fattest of ***** dont put four OUNCES of cream cheese on a bagel (each of those little "cups" is 1oz).
    • andersonwill, on 04/29/2008, -1/+2At Noah's Bagel they put 3 inches of cream cheese between the bagels! It grosses me out
    • Buddhist, on 04/30/2008, -0/+1What size bagels are these people eating?! I'm imagining trampoline-sized bagels, with comically oversized knives.
  • Taiyoryu, on 04/29/2008, -7/+3The authors of the bestselling new book “Eat This, Not That!” uncover the most misunderstood “health” foods in America

    * 1. Bran Muffin
    * 2. Chicken Caesar Salad
    * 3. Tuna Melt
    * 4. Chicken Wrap
    * 5. Turkey Burger
    * 6. Fruit Smoothies
    * 7. Granola Bar
    * 8. Pasta Salad
    * 9. Yogurt with Fruit on the Bottom
    * 10. Bagel with Cream Cheese
    * 11. Pasta Primavera
    * 12. Dried Fruit
    * 13. Fish Sandwich
    * 14. Margarine

  • saxreturns, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2I very much doubt the accuracy of their measurements (especially as servings will vary depending how they're made and where they come from). However, suggesting steak instead of turkey burger... You don't need to tell me twice!
  • insanebrain, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2No pictures ?
  • carpespasm, on 04/29/2008, -1/+4This list is pretty heavy on the proteins. You need plenty of proteins for sure, but there's a reason that proteins are near the top of the food pyramid and grains are on the bottom. Better to substitute many of the things on the list like the breakfast sandwich for something whole grain and skip the cream cheese.
    • Tweekster, on 04/29/2008, -1/+2The food pyramid is also highly disputed and considered junk by many of the top nuitritionists.

      Berardi's golden triangle is quite a bit better (or whatever the term is for it) basically equal amounts of protein, fats and carbs.

      The average person would greatly benefit from lowering the carbs and upping the fats/proteins.
    • kwirk, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1The reason grain is at the bottom of the food chain has nothing to do with nutrition, and everything to do with American food policy. Compare the American food pyramid to those of other countries and you'll see the difference.

      And a protein-heavy breakfast is generally preferable to a high carb breakfast...
      • Tweekster, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Exactly.
        Although high carb breakfasts do have their purposes, but that should be determined on the individual basis. Carb+Protein should be the goal for breakfast in my opin, it just depends on what balance.
  • scott12087, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1So let me get this straight......they're saying that making a sandwich using bread is better than putting the same ingredients in a wrap?
    • s0nicfreak, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2"The wrap itself is the real offender here, dense with fast-burning carbs and containing up to 400 calories. It's a tortilla shell pumped with a bunch of modified starch and fat. Plus the huge surface area means more room to slather dressing and pack in more cheese and meat than your typical sandwich."

      Yes, it seems that's what they're saying.
    • Tweekster, on 04/29/2008, -0/+0That makes perfect sense, whole wheat bread is a lot better than the wrap.
  • Calcularius, on 04/29/2008, -2/+715 ***** pages for a little fluff? ***** YOU. BURIED.
  • sjps220, on 04/29/2008, -0/+3I love how their healthy alternative to "fruit smoothie" is another "fruit smoothie".
    They also seem to focus completely on avoiding putting on weight by reducing calories, carbs and fat. Simply avoiding these things doesn't always equal healthy eating.
  • andersonwill, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1That made me hungry
  • stoikiometry, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Since no one can agree let's all bury this (and similar articles) and eat what we want. Natural selection will run its course.
  • Tweekster, on 04/29/2008, -1/+1Why are they so concerned about calories?
    That should be the last thing people concern themselves when it comes to proper nuitrition. People should worry about the quality of those calories, not the quantity

    My diet includes a caloric intake of 3900-4000 a day
    • melonhedd, on 04/29/2008, -0/+0fat
      • Tweekster, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1According to the BMI i am definitely overweight and working my way to obese.
        In reality I am 205 at 10%
        but trying to drop to single digit body fat for summer
      • Typhoon2009, on 04/30/2008, -0/+1Judging from his comment... he's a body builder. You need a lot of calories to build muscle (varies from preson to person, some people are fine with 2900, Tweekster here needs 4000)
  • LokitheComplex, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1I'm really suspicious of this article.
    Like it says a fish sandwich is unhealthy. It then says fish is healthy its the way its prepared is the problem so it says the solution is a Chicken sandwich. uh?
    • Tweekster, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Because basically if it is a fish sandwhich it will be prepared the wrong way. I am sure you can find some exceptions but it will probably be pretty rare
    • LacY, on 04/30/2008, -0/+1Well they're saying replace a *fried* fish sandwich with a *grilled* chicken sandwich, which is kinda unfair to compare. Obviously most anything fried is going to be less healthy than something grilled. It would have been just as easy to say "replace a fried fish sandwich with a grilled fish sandwich", though I agree that's probably less common in eateries.
  • msmarc, on 04/29/2008, -0/+0There's no way yogurt with fruit in it can't be healthy. I have nothing to eat in the morning anymore. Why can't they just let us remain ignorant.
    • iHippie, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1They are leading the general public down the path to ignorance. Fruit and yogurt is certainly healthier than not eating breakfast at all.
    • Tweekster, on 04/29/2008, -0/+0I think it also depends on the type of yogurt. there is a lot of sugared up crap brands.

      Plain old yogurt + fruit is a very good combo.
  • zenithmbr, on 04/29/2008, -0/+5i'd totally bang john mccain
  • iHippie, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2Buried because Men's Health Magazine is ***** stupid.
  • ennui, on 04/29/2008, -1/+0Why is it so difficult for people to understand? There are no "good" or "bad" foods. It is a question of dosage--as with so many other things in life. It is often the only thing that distinguishes medicine from poison.
    • Tweekster, on 04/29/2008, -0/+4There are absolutely good and bad foods
      Trans fat is bad for you. The level of bad is dependant on how much you have. but it will still be bad for you.

      Blueberries are good for you. You would have to gorge yourself on them before they could ever be unhealthy.

      No single food is going to kill you outright, but regular consumption is going to lead to a less than healthy body.
      • krummb, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2Tweek is absolutely right. The statement that there are no good or bad foods is the most uneducated remark I've seen in this thread.
  • GREEDOnvrFIRED, on 04/29/2008, -0/+3CHICKEN WRAP is bad because of cheese and mayo?
    That's like saying BROCCOLI is bad for you! WHY! Because of all the melted cheddar and salt!
    dicks
  • iHippie, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1They are leading the general public down the path to ignorance. Fruit and yogurt is certainly healthier than not eating breakfast at all.
    • Tweekster, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1That is definitely a good breakfast, i would probably do a hardboiled egg or two along side that.
    • krummb, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1How so? They give you an alternative. It's called, "Eat This, Not That". Were it titled "Eat Nothing, Not That" I would agree.
  • funkytaco, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2Buyer Beware - if something says "No Fat" it probably has sugar; "Sugar Free!" - vice versa. "No Trans fat" it's probably not "Fat Free", it just doesn't have trans fats. Et cetera et cera. Thank God for the FDA requiring the nutrional labels to make sense at least.
  • skyz, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2fruit smoothies are good - you can use frozen fruit concentrates (the kind for juices) as the sweetener - pineapple is great
  • mhummel, on 04/29/2008, -1/+0So is the giant taco salad healthy or not? - (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZvOqYVs2ao)


  • Ellipsys, on 04/29/2008, -1/+1I find it strange that in a men's health list they don't list soy products as a negative. Non-fermented soy contains high amounts of plant estrogens. Its also often disguised as "Natural plant sterols" in many commercials, as a positive thing. Soy, because of the fallacious idea that "Asians are healthy because they eat lots of soy", is now considered a health food. On top of that, its in just about everything because it makes a cheap filler. This is all well and good for women (to a point) who are the main "market" for health food, but what about the men out there? A little tofu here an there isn't going to hurt you, but if you're male you're probably better off avoiding soy products - logically, if it can remedy hot flashes in menopausal women by adding back the estrogen they lack, you probably should expect some reaction.
  • alittleroy101, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1I can't believe they fit all that in only 15 pages.
  • BECoole, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2They missed some things. Any "Low fat" or "fat free" version of something that would naturally, normally have fat is crap. For example, milk or salad dressing. Milk needs fat for the vitamins and minerals to be absorbable and real olive oil in dressing likewise aids in the absorption of vitamins in the lettuce.
    Basically, this was a pretty poor article focusing only on calories.
  • claxxical, on 04/30/2008, -0/+1Stupid. Of course all those healthy foods are unhealthy when you process them and add tons of corn syrup. All 14 are healthy when eaten in their natural state. The article needed to state that refined flour, corn syrup, excess sugar/calories/fat are the culprits and not granola bars and fruit smoothies. I bet a lot of people will skim over the list and avoid all of those good foods for completely unhealthy ones because they'll misinterpret. We need to get back to eating REAL food, not technology.
  • Yoggy0, on 04/30/2008, -0/+4This really is BS as others have said. A bran muffin has "trace amounts of fiber"??? Maybe if you get it from Dunkin Donuts. A chicken caesar salad has 900 calories? How much dressing are we talking about? There is so much variability in all of these foods that every one of them can easily be a health food if they're just prepared with some thought given to portion size and fat content of the condiments.
  • Shaggy63, on 04/30/2008, -0/+1*****.
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