7. Fat-Free Ice Cream
“I know people love eating a pint of ‘ice cream’ that only has 280 calories in it, but it’s not for me,” says Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, author of Eating in Color.4 “These diet ice creams do contain some of the ingredients that real ice cream does (milk, cream, and sugar), but then they add a scary amount of calorie-free sweeteners and gums.” Instead, Largeman-Roth recommends going for real, full-fat ice cream. “Yes, I said it. Because here’s the thing: You do want to stick to the serving size of half a cup, but when it’s the real deal, that’s super satisfying. I serve mine in a small vintage glass, which looks really full with that half cup serving. And I eat it slowly and enjoy every rich spoonful.”
8. Reduced Fat Peanut Butter
Many people think they’re making a healthier choice by eating reduce fat peanut butter, but according to Blakely, the full-fat version is actually healthier. “Yes, peanut butter is about 70 percent fat, but it’s primarily monounsaturated fat which is heart healthy and you get a good source of fat-soluble vitamin E, an antioxidant important for eye, heart, and immune health,” she says. Additionally, when manufacturers remove the fat from peanut butter, they usually add more salt and/or sugar to make it taste better. These are additions that have no nutritional value.