Eating healthy can be a struggle. Not only are we making a conscious decision to eat certain foods, but it can be difficult to figure out what foods are actually good for us, and how to make the most out of our diets. Especially when foods boast health that can cause more harm than good. Below are several products to stay far away from when it comes to healthy eating.
Gluten Free Products
Although gluten has become controversial over the last several years, it really isn’t as bad for you as you think. For those that have an actual allergy, gluten is harmful because they aren’t getting the necessary nutrients that gluten offers. But for those that don’t need to be gluten free, you shouldn’t be eating products designated to those with an acute allergy. Gluten-free products contain a variety of rice flours, starches, and additional sugars that aren’t really benefiting you nutritionally, and by eating these products, you’re only taking in unnecessary sugars and calories that other “gluten-filled” products don’t have.
Dried Fruit
Dried fruit can seem like a nutritional snack, but can be quite the opposite. Dried fruit has all the sugars of fruit, without the nutritional value a regular fruit has. For example, a serving of dried mango has about 27g of sugar and contains unnecessary preservatives to extend its lifetime. So although you think you’re being healthy by grabbing dried fruit off the counter, just grab a delicious, already-ready for you fruit to eat.
Flavored Yogurt
Although yogurt, especially Greek yogurt, is extremely good for you, flavored yogurts can be quite the opposite. For one, fruit/flavored yogurts typically don’t have actual fruit mixed within. Because of this, they are packed with unnecessary sugars and other ingredients to give it that taste. Flavored yogurt is also packed with preservatives that aren’t nutritious. A good rule of thumb is that if the yogurt isn’t plain or naturally flavored, don’t buy it.
Protein Bars
Ah yes, protein bars. Those quick and simple bars that taste delicious. When something is too good to be true, it typically is. Most protein/power bars that you grab off the shelf are about as nutritious as a candy bar, using unnecessary sugars and preservatives. Make sure to look at the nutritional information before grabbing these off the shelf. Chances are, you’re better off just going for the snickers bar.
“Sugar Free”, “Fat Free”, and “Low Fat” Products
These three labels can be extremely misleading if you don’t understand what goes into them. Sugar free products contain a ton of artificial sweeteners that are terrible for you because they contain aspartame which is linked to inducing cancer. Some products contain natural sources like agave plant, but you should always be mindful of where your sugar free products are coming from.
Fat free and low fat products can be just as bad as most contain more calories and more sugar to equate for the taste loss. Fat normally equates to flavor, and companies will add additional flavors and sugars to make up for that loss. Make sure to always read the label, but a good rule of thumb is to just not buy these types of products.
Juice
Yes, juice might seem healthy as it comes from our beloved fruits, but juice is one of the worst drinks and can be just as bad as soda. Juices contain a ton of sugar and none of the fiber that make fruits so healthy. This goes for juice cleanses as well. Many think it’s a way of flushing out the system, but when fruits are juiced, it gets rid of all the fiber and nutrients that make it healthy, and you’re left with a ton of unnecessary sugars. Even if the container says 100% juice, it still leaves the nutrients behind.
