The Most Overrated "Healthy" Foods (and What to Eat Instead)

These foods made the list because they tend to be hyped with health claims.

As long as you’re eating a varied diet, you’ll get all the amino acids you need.

What to eat instead:If you just want protein, have a steak or something.

The problem: Agave nectar achieves that feat by simply not containing any glucose.

For real health benefits, just stop eating so much sugar.

(Sorry, but it’s true.)

But does it really substitute for a sports drink?

Coconut water is high in potassium, and low in sodium and calories.

An athlete’s top needs from a sports beverage, besides water, are…sodium and calories.

What to drink instead: For a short workout, water.

(You’ll replace the electrolytes when you eat your next meal.)

you could also makehomemade electrolyte drinks.

What’s more, antioxidants are a large family of compounds that each have different potential effects on health.

And here is where acai’s superfood standing gets yanked.

But there turned out to be no meaningful link between ORAC values and health.

The USDAtook down their ORAC databaseyears ago for this reason.

Antioxidant-containing foods are still often good for you, but not necessarily because of their antioxidant content.

(Pro tip: don’t eat the lotion.)

Blackberries, tomatoes, kale, you get the idea.

Photos byDave Pickersgill,Christian Guthier,Ken Bosma,Koshy Koshy,papagaio-pirata.