10 vegetarian and vegan meals that aren't as healthy as you think

Some people assume vegetarian or vegan meals are automatically healthier than meat-and dairy-based options. However, that's not always the case. Many plant-based snacks and meals are actually highly processed, calorie-laden, or secretly harboring vast quantities of sugar and sodium. Here are a few vegetarian and vegan dishes that might not be as healthy as you think. 1. Veggie burgers can actually have some questionable ingredients. If you're opting for a veggie burger rather than a meat patty because you think it's the healthier choice, you should know the facts. Most commercially produced veggie burgers are actually loaded with processed soy and preservatives, not to mention packed with sodium. "If low-calorie, fiber-rich and nutrient-dense is what you're after, you're not going to get it in a veggie burger," said registered dietitian and nutritionist McKell Hill on Nutrition Stripped. Make your own vegetable patties at home out of fresh, simple plant-based ingredients to be sure you're getting a healthy meal. 2. Yogurt parfaits are a misleading "healthy" choice.You're in line at your local coffee shop and in desperate need of a snack. Instead of grabbing the nearest muffin, you select a granola-topped yogurt parfait. Healthy choice, right' It turns out that many yogurt parfaits can have just as much sugar as a pastry. A fruit and yogurt parfait at one popular fast food chain has a whopping 22 grams of sugar. When it's loaded with honey, sweetened granola, and sweetened fruit, a parfait can quickly become a sugar bomb.3. That veggie burrito could be destroying your diet.Think you're being healthy by skipping the fast food burger joint and sitting down to a big, vegetable-packed burrito' Loading your vegetable burrito up with things like guacamole, cheese, beans, and sour cream can quickly elevate the calorie count.Of course, calories aren't the only measure of health. It's also important to make sure you're getting essential vitamins and nutrients, but consuming too many calories for your needs can lead to health problems. See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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