OPINION — The foods people don’t think twice about, in many cases, are where risk quietly can build over time. As a primary-care physician, I find the difficult conversations are about the foods that feel normal, reasonable and even healthy.
Take the granola bar. It doesn’t feel like junk food. If anything, it feels like the better choice. It’s small, portable and labeled with words like protein, fiber, whole grains or energy. It fits easily into a busy day, which is part of the appeal.
And that’s exactly why it’s worth a second look. In primary care, I see how often patients try to make smart choices, only to be tripped up by foods marketed as wholesome or convenient. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s type 2 diabetes prevention guidance advises people to choose processed foods less often, including foods like granola bars sweetened with honey, sugar or other added sugars.
