Healthier Eating in 2025: Ditch the Processed Food,Embrace the Real Deal
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A new year frequently enough brings a desire for a healthier lifestyle,adn for many,that means making smarter food choices. A recent study indicates that 19% of Americans plan to eat healthier in 2025 [1].But navigating the world of healthy eating can be tricky, especially with cunning “health halo” foods.
Ultra-processed foods, loaded with calories, sugar, fat, and salt, are a major culprit to avoid. but even seemingly healthy options can be deceptive. Dr. Mitchell Roslin, chief of bariatric surgery at Northern Westchester Hospital, cautions against falling for the allure of vegetable chips.
“People assume cauliflower is a healthy choice,and it is indeed when boiled or eaten in a salad,” Dr. Roslin explains. “But when processed into chips or pizza crust, it’s primarily corn starch and loses it’s nutritional value.”
Dr. Roslin stresses that vegetable chips are calorie-dense, loaded with salt, and lack satiety, making them no different from regular potato chips. he recommends opting for fresh vegetables with hummus or potatoes with their skin on for truly nutritious options.
“Potatoes are naturally healthy, even though they are mainly starch. what undermines their health benefits is how they are prepared, like transforming them into chips,” he clarifies.
Registered dietitian Abbey sharp echoes the sentiment, highlighting the nutritional power of the humble potato.
Potatoes are packed with potassium,vitamin C,and vitamin B6,making them a valuable addition to a healthy diet.
[1] https://www.statista.com/chart/29019/most-common-new-years-resolutions-us/Are Veggie Chips Really Healthier Than Potato Chips?
While veggie chips may seem like a healthier option to potato chips,a registered dietitian and “health halo detective” argues they might not be as virtuous as they appear. Abbey Sharp, known for debunking nutritional myths, points out that the processing involved in making veggie chips often strips them of their nutritional benefits.
Sharp, who shared her thoughts on the subject in a TikTok video last September, emphasizes that potatoes themselves are not inherently fattening. They become unhealthy when fried, salted, or loaded with butter and sour cream.
Sharp also expresses skepticism about the supposed health advantages of veggie chips. She notes that while they might appear healthier due to their vegetable content,they are frequently enough nutritionally similar to traditional potato chips.
For those still considering veggie chips, the website eat This, Not That! recently ranked 11 brands based on their calorie, saturated fat, and sodium content. While some veggie chips might offer additional fiber and vitamins depending on the vegetables used, as pointed out by registered dietitian Caroline Thomason, they aren’t necessarily lower in calories, sodium, or fat compared to regular potato chips.
“Some veggie chips indeed offer additional dietary fiber and vitamins depending on the vegetables used,” Thomason wrote, “but these snacks aren’t necessarily lower in calories, sodium or fat compared to traditional potato chips.”
## Ditching Processed Foods: An interview with Dr.Mitchell Roslin
**Archyde:** Welcome back to Archyde! Today we’re diving into the world of healthy eating in 2025. Joining us is Dr. Mitchell Roslin, Chief of Bariatric Surgery at Northern Westchester Hospital. Dr. Roslin, thanks for being here.
**Dr.Roslin:** My pleasure.It’s great to talk to you about healthy eating.
**Archyde:** We’re seeing a growing interest in healthier eating habits, with recent studies pointing to almost 20% of americans aiming for a healthier diet in 2025 [1]. But along with this wave of healthy ambitions comes a lot of confusing information. what are some of the biggest challenges people face when navigating the world of healthy eating?
**Dr. Roslin:** One big challenge is recognizing “health halo” foods. These are products marketed as healthy,but often loaded with calories,sugar,and unhealthy fats.
**Archyde:** Can you give us an example?
**Dr. Roslin:** Vegetable chips are a prime example. People see “vegetable” and assume it’s a healthy choice.
But when cauliflower is processed into chips, it loses its nutritional value and becomes mostly cornstarch.
**Archyde:** That’s surprising! So, what should people choose instead?
**Dr. Roslin:** Stick to fresh vegetables with hummus or even potatoes with their skin on.Potatoes are naturally healthy, and the skin adds extra fiber.
**Archyde:** Excellent advice! any final words of wisdom for our readers hoping to eat healthier in 2025?
**Dr. roslin:** Remember to be informed about food labels and be wary of “health halo” foods. Focus on whole, unprocessed foods, and don’t be afraid to enjoy occasional treats in moderation.