Halloween is a favored American holiday; who doesn’t enjoy dressing up and faking an identity for a day?  Turns out humans aren’t the only entities able to evoke a false persona.  Certain foods also play the trickery game, but these deceptive creatures celebrate Halloween all year round.  They are perceived as healthy, but are actually dressed in a convincing costume.  Keep reading to discover where to find these frauds, so you can stay far away from these caloric monsters in disguise.  What you’re about to hear will spook you! Have no fear, our goal is to provide you with nutrition health articles that not only answer why nutrition is so important but provide an athlete's guide to nutrition.

Muffins:  I will never forget my shock when David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding, authors of the best selling book Eat This, Not That, revealed that you’re better off eating an Egg McMuffin than a bran muffin.  What?!  Turns out your morning muffin contains enough fat, sugar, and refined flour to overpower the benefits of the bran.  Even a “fat-free” muffin can contain between 400-500 calories.  A muffin is basically a pastry in costume, and it has the likewise effect of spiking your blood sugar, encouraging the mid-morning crash. (whereas an egg mcmuffin contains protein to start your body’s engine and keep it fueled)  If you must get your muffin fix, I’d suggest finding your own healthy recipe to ensure your not baking an imposter. (and use small muffin tins)  Otherwise, opt for a high fiber cereal where the bran is allowed to shine the way it should.  A great choice is Fiber One, which contains 14 grams of fiber and no sugar or saturated fat.

Salads:  The salad is the most misunderstood food around, and people automatically associate these five letters with the word healthy.  And yes, a salad can be extremely healthy and beneficial, but it can also be a major diet saboteur in disguise.  It is all dependent of what goes into this colorful mix.  When the San Francisco stadium Pac Bell Park opened, there was a lady on television critiquing the delectable cuisine offered at this ballpark.  She said that calorie-wise, you were better off ordering a hot dog than the caesar salad.  What?!  Shocking yes, but if you look beyond this food’s healthy assumption, you’ll find a true identity of creamy dressing, parmesan cheese, and croutons. (that wiener’s looking pretty good)  Always go for a salad made of mixed greens, a variety of vegetables, and an oil-based instead of a mayonnaise-based dressing. (throw some grilled chicken or fish on top)  Look inside your bowl, and if you see fried chicken, bacon, candied pecans, and gorgonzola cheese chunks above a few pieces of lettuce…it’s not really a salad!

Wraps:  You see these on menus everywhere today marketed as a “healthy alternative.”  A healthy alternative to what?  A wrap is basically a burrito with a deceitful name.  Anything “wrapped” in a giant tortilla only offers you an opportunity to consume more fat and calories.  This tortilla alone can contain up to 400 calories, and its dimension allows more sustenance to be stuffed inside.  You’re much better off going with a sandwich, which alone amounts to around 400 calories.

Granola:  According to Eat This, Not That, the most offensive cereal on the market is Quaker 100% Natural Granola, and one serving is equivalent to 8 chicken wings.  Huh?!  How can that be; granola is composed of nutritional eats like nuts, oats, and raisins.  Yes, the foundation of granola is extremely healthy, but the glue that combines these natural delights together consists of high fructose corn syrup and sugar.  The manufacturers take a good thing, and dress it up in bad fat.  Talk about an unflattering costume!  Make your own granola with the real deal, or opt for oatmeal made from pure oats.

Turkey Burgers:  The turkey burger craze is everywhere these days, and people think they’re doing their body a favor by choosing turkey over beef.  Not so fast!  Unless you’re grilling up your own turkey patty, you don’t know what type of turkey meat connects your bun, and it could contain all the calories of beef.  And with toppings like cheese and mayo…well…exactly!  Also, it turns out sirloin is a very lean cut of meat.  (poor beef, always getting such a bad rap)  So if you’re craving the meat, making a turkey sacrifice isn’t always worth it! 

Yogurt:  This is another food that’s fine on its own, but gets dressed up in excessive jewelry. (aka sugar)  Stay away from yogurts with fruit on the bottom, as it’s merely a flavorful swirl of sugars posing as the real thing.  A genuine container of yogurt has a label that claims no more than 12 grams of sugar.  Your best bet is to buy plain yogurt and dress it up on your own with fresh fruit.  Also, to get the full health benefit, make sure your dairy treat contains “live and active cultures.”  These friendly creatures are livelier in refrigerated yogurt versus frozen yogurt. 

Soup:  How many times have you heard someone say, “I’m not that hungry, I’m just going to order the soup.”  Meanwhile, the soup is a cream-based cheat, holding more calories that the grilled chicken entrée.  Just the soup?!  And we all know what pick will keep us full and satisfied.  Don’t be fooled by this liquid meal, and always go for a tomato or broth-based bowl of goodness. (pick the minestrone over the New England clam chowder or cream of anything)  And if you’re purchasing cans, always check the label; many soups are dressed up with loads of unnecessary sodium.

Beverages: Let’s remain on the wet trail and examine other liquids capable of producing a caloric flood.  Remember this; a calorie is a calorie regardless of its form.  Many people don’t account for the calories they don’t chew on, and this notion is detrimental to their diets.  Several beverage bottles on the market lure you in with their pretty outfits then stab you in the back. (and add fat to your back)  Let’s check in with our friends David and Matt who’ve revealed that Snapple Lemon Iced Tea is the worst tea drink out there, clocking in at 250 calories! (and equivalent to 6 Fudgesicle bars)  What, but tea is healthy?!  As we’ve learned, a pure and innocent entity can easily get transformed into a devil.  And don’t be fooled by all these functional and vitamin drinks out there; Snapple’s antioxidant waters and Vitamin Water contain up to 150 calories.  Wouldn’t you rather have solid nourishment?  There are many other liquid fools such as fruit juices containing high fructose corn syrup and diet sodas sporting sodium.  Your best bet is always water or tea in its natural state; fancy it up with a slice of lemon! 

Basically, you want to eat a food that is naked and not clothed in an elaborate outfit with superfluous accessories.  If it is dressed up, make sure you’ve researched the designer, and always read the label!  Just like you became the Grim Reaper on October 31st, many foods can become deadly fiends, killing your healthy eating habits.  Yes, when you say “trick or treat” you expect to get presented a saturated indulgence.  But you don’t expect to find this corruption in the foods you think are benefiting your body.  Therefore, only celebrate Halloween one day, and be able to spot the year round phonies.  And just think how great you’ll look in that skimpy costume when Fall rolls around!    

Nutrition health articles that not only answer why nutrition is so important but provide an athlete's guide to nutrition.

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