Never Eat This!
Dieting is often a tricky matter, trying to find foods that both satisfy you, as well as keep you on track. Unfortunately, there may be some foods that you are eating to try to lose weight, but are either high calorie, processed, or both! This article, in addition to the video above, will give discuss 12 healthy foods that are actually unhealthy for yourself, and a few better options to eat instead. Beware!
“Healthy” Foods That Are ACTUALLY Unhealthy
- Fruit Juice: Fruit juices are often promoted as a healthy alternative to sugary drinks. However, most commercial fruit juices are loaded with added sugar and lack the fiber found in whole fruits. This can cause blood sugar spikes, and can lead to weight gain which has a whole host of health concerns with it. It is better to eat whole fruits instead of drinking fruit juice. As this will help keep you full, improve your fiber and nutrient intake, and help you maintain your overall weight. If you do want some juice still, make sure you are taking in 100% fruit juice options, like the ones below.
- Granola: Granola is often marketed as a healthy snack or breakfast option. However, most commercial granolas are loaded with sugar, and are high in preservatives and calories. A better alternative would be to make your own granola using whole ingredients, like oats, cinnamon, and low calorie sweeteners.
- Energy Bars: Energy bars are often sold on the market as a quick and healthy snack for people on the go. However, most commercial energy bars are high in sugar and lack nutrients. It is better to opt for whole foods such as fruits, nuts, or seeds as a snack, as these bars may make you feel incredibly hungry due to the large spike in blood sugar. You could also lean towards a protein bar, which at least has some extra protein added into it.
- Flavored Yogurt: Flavored yogurts are often marketed as a healthy snack option. However, most flavored yogurts contain added sugar and artificial flavors, and offer a large source of empty calories. It is better to choose plain Greek yogurt and add fresh fruit or honey for sweetness. I also add sugar free syrup and some cinnamon to this for a nice touch as well.
- Veggie Chips: Veggie chips are often sold as a healthy alternative to regular potato chips. However, most veggie chips are made from potato starch and lack real vegetables. Sometimes, they are often high in sodium and calories, making them similar to potato chips in nutrition. It is better to opt for baked sweet potato or regular potato chips made at home.
- Gluten-Free Products: Gluten-free products are often marketed as a healthy option for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. This is absolutely true for individuals with issues digesting gluten. However, gluten free products don’t have any “magical” health benefits, for individuals who can consume it with no gastric distress. It is better to opt for non processed, whole foods that are naturally gluten-free such as fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. A great snack that is gluten free that I really enjoy, and isn’t quite as processed as normal gluten free products is actually rice cakes.
- Sports Drinks: Sports drinks are often marketed as a way to replenish electrolytes and rehydrate after a workout. However, most sports drinks are high in sugar and artificial flavors. For athletes, it could be a useful tool to rehydrate, but for many, it is better to opt for water or coconut water to rehydrate after a workout. If you are someone who enjoys the sweet taste of sports drinks, you could lean on some zero sugar alternatives, instead.
- Agave Nectar: Agave nectar is often marketed as a healthy alternative to honey. However, agave nectar is high in calories, which can lead to weight gain, In all reality, it’s no different to consuming natural sweeteners in small amounts such as honey or maple syrup. If you want something that has no calories, and is natural, stevia is a great zero calorie sweetener option as well.
- Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is often seen as a great source of protein. Unfortunately, there is only 7 grams of protein per 200 calories of most peanut butter sources. On top of this, most peanut butters contain hydrogenated oils, which are trans fats in disguise! If you are looking for a leaner source, with a peanut butter taste. Lean towards powdered peanut butter instead, which has more protein, and much less fat per serving!
- Canned Fruit Fruit is great for weight loss, right? Unfortunately, not all fruit is created equal. Canned fruit, typically, has a large amount of sugar ADDED to it! This added sugar skyrockets the calories and quickly turns the healthy food into a large source of empty calories which can lead to weight gain. Instead, lean towards sugar free canned fruit options, or stick with the whole fruit.
- Raisin Bran Two scoops a day is all you need. Well, this two scoops might get you all the sugar you need for an entire week. Raisin Bran, unfortunately, is high in added sugar and calories, making it a terrible option if you are trying to maintain your weight. Try to find bran options without any sugar added to it, and opt to add some fresh fruit instead.
- Sugar Free Chocolate: Sugar free is great to manage your blood sugar, but not necessarily on your waist line. Sugar free chocolates usually have the same amount of calories, making them the exact same danger to your waistline. The artificial sweeteners in these chocolates often give people some gastric distress as well. A better option that is only a fraction of the calories, is zero sugar hard candies. This are much lower in overall sugar, and can still allow you to curb that sweet tooth!
One More Thing
In conclusion, it is important to be mindful of the foods we consume and to make informed choices. Many “healthy” foods can be deceptive and may have negative health consequences in the long run. By opting for whole, unprocessed foods and avoiding foods with added sugars and unhealthy fats, we can make sure our diet is truly healthy. If you want to continue to improve your overall knowledge about the gym, and become healthier in life, you need to subscribe to our blog. Otherwise, I am going to link another article below, talking about one of the most common dieting mistakes individuals make when trying to lose weight.
People Who Can’t Lose Weight ALWAYS Make This Mistake (fix it quick)
If you are currently struggling to lose weight, there is likely numerous different things that you struggle with. This article, in addition to the video above, will address a common mistake people make when trying to lose weight, that is adding pounds to the scale as we speak. If you care about making weight loss…
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