Since the rebirth of the fitness craze in the mid 1990s, the food industry has been doing its utmost to keep pace with health-conscious consumers. This was probably most evident in around the year 2000, when the Atkins diet named the carb Enemy Number One. Subsequently, many major food companies modified their brands to include what they called healthy choices. This same thing occurred years later when people realized that carb-free was a dangerous way to eat, and that the right way to go about it was to avoid refined sugars. In response, the food industry shifted its attention to what they referred to as whole grains. Time and time again, the health food industry responded to such changes in the fitness zeitgeist, creating food products that were "not bad for you." But here's the Rub: Just because something is NOT BAD FOR YOU doesn't mean that it is GOOD FOR YOU.

Foods that are low-fat, whole grain, low in net carbs, and high in fiber are, generally speaking, better for you than the fatty, enriched flour, high carb, low fiber versions. But, just because the modifications to these foods render them less damaging, that doesn't mean that they're healthy. For example, you can buy cookies that are made with whole grains. Says so right on the packaging: Made with Whole Grains. Does this mean that cookies should now be considered health food? Obviously not, especially since their whole grain claim is pretty weak in and of itself (unless a food is listed as being 100% whole wheat or 100 % whole grain, it only means that it contains some whole grains and is probably made from mostly enriched flour).

It's easy to fall into this trap if you're not careful. Hell, it's the job of entire marketing departments and ad agencies to make you fall into this trap, so don't feel bad if you have already. Just bear in mind that despite what the label on the box of whole grain cookies or bag of baked potato chips may suggest, they are merely healthier alternatives, not healthy foods.