Rethink that "healthy" snack of yours...

It's almost beach season, and one of the most trending topics has got to be how to lose weight (fast). Many will undoubtedly be opting for light, fat-free, or high fibre options whenever we can. But just how healthy are those "healthy" choices? Are they as good as they seem? Let's see if any of your favourite foods show up in the following non-exhaustive list:

• LIGHT SALAD DRESSING. Everything is relative. Relative to the full fat, original version, of course your light caesar salad dressing will be lower in fat and/or calories. But since you're making an effort anyway, why not just drizzle some extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar onto that crispy bed of salad? That way, you'll be cutting out a lot of the sodium and preservatives, not to mention all the good fats you'll be getting from the olive oil!
• GRANOLA. Yes, I can't deny that rolled oats are good for a plethora of reasons (eg. lowers cholesterol, lower risk of heart disease, antioxidant properties). However, a lot of commercially sold granola is packed with sugar and extra calories, mostly from dried fruits and added sugar. Personally, I go for the unsweetened, sans dried fruits.
• DRIED FRUIT. While these shriveled up fruits do contain fibre, vitamins and minerals, they are usually bathed in sugar to prolong shelf life. Kudos for trying to eat fruit, but why not just go for the real deal and eat fresh varieties?
• JUICE. Fruits were designed to be eaten whole, so you get all the fibre and nutrients of the skin and flesh. Even if it's 100% fruit juice, the sugar content can be just as high as a can of pop. But if you must opt for a drink, might as well go for 100% fruit juice. Be wary of "cocktails" or "blends" as these are legally not required to be pure fruit juice - they often have high fructose corn syrup, glucose, or glucose-fructose as added sugars. To top it all off, the ease of absorbing juice (and all it's sugar) leads to spikes in blood glucose...often leading to what people call the "sugar crash." 
• GLUTEN-FREE ______________. Just because it's free from something doesn't make it healthier. Gluten-free ≠ healthy. Gluten is a protein that is developed during the processing step of products containing gluten-forming flours such as wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten-free products usually try to mimic the taste and texture of gluten-containing counterparts by adding more sugar, fat, and salt. Unless you are sensitive to gluten or have celiac disease, gluten-free products aren't really beneficial.

Eating healthy is a commitment to a different lifestyle, not just a quick fix. It'll take time, effort, and dedication to consciously make healthy decisions. Just remember: baby steps.