The health food industry has exploded recently, with many people becoming increasingly conscious of their diet and well-being. But not everything labeled “healthy” is good for you. Many popular health foods come with hidden dangers that are often overlooked. From added sugars to hidden chemicals, it’s important to scrutinize even the most well-marketed products.
Below are 18 healthy foods that you might want to think twice about.
Granola
While Granola is packed with nutrients essential for human health, store-bought granola can potentially cause more harm than good. It is often concentrated with added sugars, unhealthy fats, and preservatives. Therefore, it’s best to make granola at home to enjoy its maximum benefits.
Smoothies
Smoothies are a tasty way to get the nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables. However, because of their contents—such as fruit juice concentrates, flavored yogurts, and syrups—smoothies can have more sugar than a can of soda. This can cause a spike in blood sugar levels, which can adversely affect our health. So, make your smoothies and add spinach or kale with low-sugar fruits to get the most out of them.
Veggie Chips
In our naivety, we think that veggie chips are a better, healthier alternative to potato chips. However, potato chips are unhealthy because they are deep-fried and loaded with salt and oil. This is also how veggie chips are made, which is why they are as unhealthy as regular chips. Therefore, roasting your thin slices of vegetables like kale, zucchini, or carrots in olive oil is best.
Gluten-Free Products
The widespread demand for gluten-free diets has subsequently led to an explosion of gluten-free products. However, just being gluten-free doesn’t mean the product is healthier. The fact that many gluten-free products replace wheat with refined starches devoid of any nutritional value. These can significantly increase blood sugar levels, and unhealthy fats do more harm than good. Thus, choose foods like quinoa, brown rice, and naturally gluten-free grains.
Energy Bars
Energy bars are often considered a quick boost to energy levels for athletes and busy professionals. However, the sugar, artificial ingredients, and preservatives in these bars are harmful to human health. Moreover, many of these bars are made with corn syrup, fructose, or sugar alcohol, which can spike blood sugar and cause digestive discomfort.
Plant-Based Meats
Plant-based meats are a tempting alternative to animal product consumption but lack nutritional value and are also unhealthier than the latter. Plant-based meats are highly processed and contain artificial flavors, binders, and preservatives, among other additives. Moreover, the high sodium levels and the refined oils with which plant-based meats are made deprive them of their nutritional benefit. Therefore, it’s better to lean towards beans, lentils, tofu and tempeh.
Coconut Water
Coconut water contains electrolytes like potassium, which is why it is hailed as a post-workout drink and a hydrating beverage. However, many commercial brands spoil this healthy drink by adding excessive sugar to enhance the flavor. Consuming these sugary beverages causes an increase in weight gain and an imbalance in blood sugar levels. Additionally, if consumed in excess, coconut water can also cause an overdose of potassium.
Protein Powders
While protein powders are a great way of providing our body with the necessary protein intake, they can also harm our health. Protein powders with artificial sweeteners like sucralose, fillers, gums, and preservatives can upset our digestive health. Moreover, if consumed in excess, they can also stress the kidneys.
Frozen Yogurt
Commercials often brand frozen yogurt as a healthier alternative to ice cream, but it can be as unhealthy as ice cream. This is because it contains as much sugar as ice cream, and the probiotics are destroyed during processing. Therefore, it’s better to use plain Greek yogurt with fresh fruit.
Dried Fruits
Dried fruits are a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. However, if consumed in excess, they can be unhealthy for human health. They can dehydrate the human body, which in turn increases the sugar and calorie content of the fruit per serving. Moreover, dried fruits from commercial brands come with additives that can cause harm. So, the way to go with dried fruits is to consume them containing no added sugars or preservatives and be mindful of portion size.
Nut Butters
Nut butter is a rich source of protein, healthy fats, magnesium, and vitamin E. However, nut butter labeled “creamy” or “smooth” contains added sugars, hydrogenated oils, and salt, so they must be looked out for. Consumption of such nut butter can contribute to inflammation, weight gain, and numerous heart diseases over time.
Fat-Free Products
In the 1990s, consuming fat-free products was believed to naturally contribute to weight loss. However, fat is replaced with sugar, artificial sweeteners, and other additives to improve taste. Healthy fats are essential for the overall health, so don’t fear them. Moreover, dietary fat is necessary to absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K).
Bottled Green Juices
Green juices are a convenient way to benefit from the nutrients that vegetables are packed with. However, the addition of fruit juices, sweeteners, and preservatives makes these drinks sugar-laden. The harms excess sugar can cause have already been discussed. Furthermore, juicing deprives the human body of the fiber that vegetables contain, which is essential for digestion and overall gut health.
Agave Syrup
Agave syrup, with its 90% fructose composition, is more harmful to human health than regular sugar. Excessive consumption can result in insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, and increased fat storage. The fact that it has a low glycaemic index shouldn’t let one overlook its long-term health damages. So, use honey or maple syrup in moderation to satisfy your health cravings.
Rice Cakes
Rice cakes have a high glycemic index, which is why they can give a quick energy boost and then drain the entire body of energy, leaving you hungry. This increases their dependency, and if they are consumed daily, they may make you insulin resistant, cause weight gain, and increase cravings for sugary foods.
Fruit-Flavored Yogurts
Fruit-flavored yogurts are only beneficial for human health if they aren’t polluted with fruit preserves, syrups, artificial colors, and stabilizers. These additives negate the yogurt’s benefits, such as probiotics, calcium, and protein. Therefore, prepare your fruit-flavored yogurt at home to reap maximum benefits.
Sports Drinks
Sports drinks are especially for people engaging in intense physical activities to replenish lost electrolytes and fluids. However, most people lacking such routines don’t require extra sugars, electrolytes, and artificial ingredients in these drinks. People who consume these drinks without engaging in prolonged, strenuous exercise are prone to excessive calorie intake, weight gain, and an increased risk of developing metabolic conditions.
Oat Milk
Oat milk is a popular plant-based alternative for those with lactose intolerance and vegans. The combination of oats and milk is packed with nutrients. However, commercial brands have ruined the nutritional prowess of oat milk by adding additives for taste and texture. Additionally, the synthetic vitamins and minerals used by some brands don’t always get absorbed by the body compared to those found in whole foods.
Conclusion
These 18 popular health foods provide a powerful nutritional boost, but the additional additives make them unhealthy. Therefore, it’s important to consider the ingredient list of any food available. But what’s even better is preparing healthy, nutrition-rich foods yourself at home.
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