Most of us know that anything that has the word "fried" in it, isn't going to be something that's going to be easy on our waistlines. But when it comes to the healthy snacks how do we know which fabulously famous health foods are actually higher calorie intake than a "dine and dash hamburger". Here are 10 of the most popularly misunderstood health foods that can make your jeans feel like they're two  sizes too small.

Wraps

Depending on how you make it, when you add the mayo, the cheese, cold cuts, the sheer size of the wrap with more surface area than a couple of slices of bread; the wrap can be a big no-no. Because of the larger surface area, you'll be tempted to use more dressing than you would with a sandwich. The average wrap can tips the scales at around 300 calories. The sodium and sugars in both the ingredients and the mayo can really pack a wallop.

Diet Prepackaged and Microwave Meals

We honestly believe the packaging and the advertising on the television when they tell us that the ready-to-eat meals are better for us. What they don't mention to the average consumer is that due to the loss of the fats during the cooking process, the meals would be bland to say the least. Here's what they do instead. They will use as much salt as it takes to make that meal tempting; and they'll call it something else instead of salt. Try googling the ingredients of your next diet microwave meal and get ready for a nasty surprise that not only makes you retain water, salt in overabundance is extremely bad for you.

Tofu

This heavy hitter of the health food department has been long praised as a meat substitute. The unfortunate thing is that because it's tasteless, most restaurants and and healthy meals including tofu are generally either slathered in some sodium, fatty sauces or deep-fried to give it flavour. All in all, tofu is a major offender in the battle of the bulge. Vegetarians lament for the dish of tofu that's served up in your favourite restaurant is full of fats, sugar and salt - adding up to a big fat caloric intake.

Salads

They're great on their own, but what we do to them really spells a dieting disaster. From the oil rich dressings that pack a wallop of fats, sugars and sodium to all the toppings we adore. Salad toppings, how we adore thee. Shredded cheese, bacon bits, nuts and croutons to mention a few. Even those diet-conscious vinaigrettes are almost as high-calorie as the creamy dressings. Skipping on the toppings and going extra light on the dressing can help avoid this diet faux pas.

Veggie Burgers

Passing over the beef burger in favour of a veggie burger can be kinder and gentler on your cholesterol and fat intake, however by the time you put it on a bun, add your condiments, your innocent little veggie burger is a serious contender. A veggie burger can end up being somewhere in the area of 1000 calories by the time all is said and done. Some branches even hold those cute little patties together with cheese. So that's sodium, sugar in the condiments and way more calories than you think. If you're going to have the calories, you might as well splurge and have the occasional "real" hamburger.

Sushi

The average sushi roll can pack on between 500 - 600 calories. Soy sauce is full of salt and will make water retention a problem. While the seaweed wraps and veggies are low in calories, the other goodies are not. Often the rolls are coated with cream cheese or mayo spicy sauce, the seafood may be coated in tempura batter. The innocent little sushi roll can really roll with the rest of the "healthy foods" that can hinder your chances of fitting into that new outfit you just bought.

Bran Muffins

Commonly and correctly known for packing a ton of fibre in a small, cute little package, the bran muffin is also laced with sugar and butter. Tipping the scales at about 20 grams of fat, 420 calories and approximately 33 grams of sugar, the bran muffin might as well be replaced with a slice of cake. If you're going to have the calories, why not really enjoy them. 

Bottled Juices and Drinks

Whether your choice is bottled teas or a glass of OJ; you're getting loads and loads  of high calorie sugars. A bottle of orange juice (also boasts 55 grams of carbohydrates most of which is around 12 tsp of sugar) is the equivalent of five slices of bread. Those lovely little bottles of iced tea are around the same sugar content as having a can of pop. Water doesn't look quite as boring now, does it?

Whole Wheat Breakfast Cereals and Granola

Nobody's arguing that the fibre is good for you, there are nuts and oats as an added bonus. But what kicks up the caloric count is all of the other goodies that get added during the manufacturing process. From the oils to make the cereals rip to the sugars and sodium to give the flavour; many bowls of cereal stack up high on the list of dieting no-nos with each bowl weighing in at around 500 calories.

Dried Fruits

Deceptively nutritious, these snacks are full of sugar. With the whole of the fruit sugar going into these little treats because of the dehydration process, they top the charts in the sweet department. Consider that with the whole fruit, you'd probably eat just one and the sugar is distributed throughout the fruit. When these are dehydrated, and smaller, you are tempted to think that their calorie count would be smaller and will often have more than one. If you have two, you're already at double the sugar, possibly more as some manufacturers will add more sugar to make them more appealing.

So you're probably thinking, what can I eat that's low-cal? Start by making your meals at home and save the meals out for special or rare occasions. You and you alone can control what goes into your food if you make it. Invest in a low-cost and reliable slow cooker. While your busy life goes on around you, your next meal is already cooking. The internet is full of recipes for meals that are low cal and health conscious. From making your own granola, to finding ideas for a waist-conscious wrap; you'll find all kinds of suggestions on how you can change your eating habits.  Let's face it, the restaurants only want your money and your repeat business; they certainly do NOT care whether or not you can fit into your skinny jeans or look smoking' hot in your little black dress. Make a conscious decision to plan your meals, pack a lunch and dust off that old recipe book that your grandmother left you!