5 ‘Health Foods’ You Should Stop Eating Now
There are so many foods being marketed today as “healthy” but are really not. If you’re a fan of these health fads, you could be wasting money and putting yourself at risk of serious diseases. Here are foods that you think are okay to eat but actually aren’t. Avoiding them now does really matter.
Self-Serve Frozen Yoghurt
Looking for something creamy yet healthy? Self-serve frozen yoghurt may seem like a great option. But deep within this treat are loads of fats and sugar that don’t just increase your calorie intake, but also predisposes you to a range of health problems, including diabetes and heart disease. And because you decide how much to get – there’s a chance that you “over-serve”. In a 2006 study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, researchers found that the size of the bowl and even the spoon influence how much food people serve and eat.
Specialty Coffee Drinks
Coffee is generally considered a health food. That’s true. Basically, coffee beans contain antioxidants and nutrients which reduce a person’s risk of dying from heart disease, stroke, diabetes or infections. But the trouble starts when people add those extra ingredients, like the sugar, cream, high-fat milk products, and sugary syrups. Just in case you don’t know – a large flavoured latte has 300 calories, compared to plain brewed coffee which has only 2 calories!
Fibre Bars
You know that fibre is good for your body, especially your gut and heart. But fibre bars are a different thing. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that high-fibre diets are associated with lower total blood cholesterol, less constipation and even weight loss. This essential nutrient is usually found in fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grain. But there goes commercial food manufacturers again. In an effort to make snacking more convenient, tastier and more appealing, they deceived the market by creating fibre bars. What people don’t know is that these snacks are just candy bars in disguise which are full of sugar, maltose and other artificial sweeteners, as well as preservatives. Manufacturers simply add fibre so they can label the product as such. If you’re looking for a tasty high-fibre snack that’s easy to eat, grab an apple or banana. Simple.
Sports Drinks
Researchers from the University of Oxford found no concrete evidence suggesting what sports drink manufacturers claim that these products can enhance performance and speed up recovery. They found no systematic reviews either, and the evidence base was judged to be at high risk of bias.
Commercial Fruit Juices
Making fruit juice from scratch may take some workaround but it’s definitely worth it. Even the ‘natural’ labelled fruit juice could contain tons of sugar and artificial sweeteners (such as high fructose corn syrup) and flavourings.
Not everything you see in the grocery store that is labelled “healthy” is really healthy. Most of them are simply unhealthy processed foods in disguise. So be a smart shopper. Scrutinise the label and check for any hidden amount of sugar and unwanted ingredients. Lastly, go with whole foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes – they all are better options.
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