Known 5 Health Foods that May Make You Unhealthy
With the numerous so called-health foods in the market, common terms used in referring to these health foods often mislead consumers into believing that what they are eating are actually healthy. If you have misgivings about whether your “health food” is what it claims to be, here are some facts that could help you in resolving this issue.
Multigrain foods
When your food is labeled multigrain, make sure it contains “whole wheat” because this is what is healthy. A healthy choice would be foods that are labeled “whole grains.” This indicates that the grain is still unpolished or unrefined containing the endosperm, the germ and the bran.
Unrefined rice contains large amounts of Vitamin B12, healthy fibers, minerals, and other vitamins essential to the body. When the grain is refined, only the inner portion remains, which is the endosperm. This endosperm is primarily composed of carbohydrates. Excess carbohydrates lead to various illnesses, such as obesity and related diseases. This includes whole grain foods like unrefined rice, whole wheat and whole oats. The germ and bran contain also antioxidants and phytochemicals that decrease your risk of acquiring cardiac conditions, hypertension, some cancers, diabetes and a multitude of pathological conditions.
Vitamin and mineral enhanced beverage
When your beverage is labeled “vitamin and mineral enhanced beverage,” read the components carefully first before buying. Make sure you don’t get more minerals than what your body needs. You could easily derive vitamins and minerals like calcium, sodium, and magnesium, from natural foods like fruits and vegetables. Unless you are an athlete, who loses large amounts of water through sweat, you would not need extra vitamins and minerals.
According to “The Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry” by Donald F. Calbreath et al, increased blood concentrations of these minerals could lead to conditions like hypercalcemia, hypernatremia and hypermagnesemia. If left untreated this could lead to serious illnesses, like hypertension and renal disorders, among many. So before you put that beverage in your shopping basket, you should make sure of its specific contents. Do you need those electrolytes or minerals? Pure water and home-made fruit juices, sans sugar, are still the best options to stay hydrated.
Low Fat Peanut Butter
Not all fats are bad. There are good fats, called High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) that your body needs. These good fats are essential for your body because they lessen your risk of having cardiovascular diseases. They are also vital in maintaining good skin and in the formation of steroid hormones. Steroid hormones are the basis of the development of your secondary female or male sexual characteristics.
Fats from nuts are healthy and are considered good fats. Double check the food’s label though, to ensure that there are no accompanying additional types of bad fats, like meat fat, or preservatives that would reduce the supplemental value of your good fat.
Energy Bar
You need certain calories to spend for your daily activities. Supposedly, the energy bar would boost your energy. Energy bars are prepared to help you lose weight. The problem is that you might not need that extra calorie boost, thereby allowing the storage of these extra calories in your body. This would add weight, instead of helping you shed some of it.
There are specific calorie requirements for certain heights and weights. A person who is less active would need less calorie intake, so an energy bar may be detrimental to your health if you don’t need those extra calories. You could eat a balanced diet of protein, carbohydrate and fats instead. Increasing fruits and vegetables in your daily intake would also help you stay healthy and fit.
Non-fried chips and crackers
This so called health food may actually contain more calories than your body needs. Although it is labeled as non-fried, and hence free from fat; the fact still remains that chips and crackers are carbohydrates and are the main sources of calories. When carbohydrates are not used as energy, they are stored in the body as glycogen.
Michael Bishop, an expert in biochemistry, indicated in his book: “Principles, Procedures and Correlations,” that excess storage of carbohydrate in the form of glycogen could lead to obesity, and consequently increased your risk for various conditions like hypertension, cardiac conditions, and many other complications. You may want to choose whole grain foods over these chips and crackers. If you want to stay healthy, take note of these vital reminders. After all, you are what you eat.
Do you know any other so called-health foods may potential make you unhealthy? Share your tips and views with us below.
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