We’re just bombarded with conflicting information these days, this when it comes to the foods and the liquids that we place into our bodies. What becomes confusing, always argumentative and controversial is what’s good, bad, or indifferent. Various sources will provide different opinions.
What we now see is any core food product that we enjoy targeted as being “healthy” somehow. Anything that we consume is now stamped nutritional, this more as a marketing angle, regardless if they’re really healthy or not.
When taking a stroll down the grocers aisle, we’re bombarded with low fat, low calorie, vitamin infused, detoxifying, all trigger words which gives us an excuse to buy the product.
So what’s been exposed are a group of these so called food products which appears good for us, that carries a mystique about them, most wondering if they’re really healthy or not.
These include the food and beverages that everyone should be especially aware of, this for our health’s sake.
Juice Based Cleanses
Juice diets sounds tasty, and are now a common method for those attempting to shed sudden pounds, this especially for upcoming “special” occasions when one needs to look thin on demand.
Although the juicing is guaranteed to ensure that there’s more fresh fruit and vegetables infused into the diet, the issue becomes they’re usually void of the other essential nutrients that the body needs.
These includes protein, healthy fats, and calories, so as as result, they won’t keep you energized for the entire day.
The downside to juicing is that since the nutrients are stripped out of them, in the long run, what often results is binge eating, usually for unhealthy convenience foods. Being on a strict juice detox also forces the loss of muscle mass.
There’s also no actual clinical evidence which confirms that a juice based detox or “fast” even works.
Light Beer
Light beer sounds good, get a little tipsy while not gaining weight appears too good to be true. What light beer suggests is that there are fewer calories, so you can get carried away drinking.
What’s found in light beer however, is that there’s less alcohol content with just a few calories that are reduced. The actual intent of “light” actually has different meaning depending on the brand.
A 12-ounce bottle of a light American beer can contain around 102 to 110 calories per serving, along with 6.5 grams of carbohydrates. It’s found that drinking light beer doesn’t get you as drunk, so you just end up drinking more.
Enhanced Waters
Most find that drinking plain old water is boring, so a bit of flavor that’s been infused into the water usually has them sipping more frequently.
If it’s a store bought enhanced water, such as the various vitamin waters or a sports drink, what they contain are high amounts of refined sugar along artificial fruit flavoring.
So when it comes to certain vitamin enhanced waters, they can completely offset your diet, while expanding your waistline. What most sport drinks, although they contain added nutrients, also contains detrimental ingredients to improve their taste.
Ingredients such as syrups, artificial sweeteners, artificial fruit flavoring, and even caffeine. So always read the labels carefully, and know exactly what they contain.
Diet Soda
Most are now aware that it’s a bad choice to opt for diet soda. There are countless studies which shows that zero calorie or diet sodas, are actually more damaging than regular soda.
Based on a study conducted on adults who consumed diet instead of regular soda, most actually ended up consuming more calories, this from the additional food that they ate.
The reason being that the word “diet” whether it be food or in this case soda, does is it triggers the reward centers in the brain, which activates the craving and the consumption of calories.
The “Good” Fats
There are some who’ll avoid avocados, salmon, or raw nuts, this because of their high-fat content. What most don’t realize is that not all fats are the same.
Certain good fats, such as Omega-3, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids are healthy, while it’s the trans or saturated fats which are unhealthy, and should be avoided.
What’s known is that the body needs the “good” fats, otherwise it’ll struggle with basic metabolic functions such as poor vitamin absorption, or failing to fuel the brain.
The Mystery That Is Granola
Granola projects the vision of fit hikers chowing down on a granola bar, sitting on top of a mountain they just conquered.
Know that the majority of the store bought variety are not that healthy. Although most contain amounts of whole grains, they also contain plenty of fillers and refined sugar.
It’s found that a single granola bar can contain as much as 600 calories. What’s recommended instead, are low sugar whole grain fiber cereals with Greek yogurt or fresh berries to sweeten.
Packaged Protein Bars
When broken down nutritionally, what most store bought protein bars have is the same value as a convenient chocolate bar.
Protein bars have the illusion of being a good post workout snack or as a meal replacement. What most contain however is plenty of corn syrup and artificial sweeteners.
Based on an analysis of over two dozen different protein bars, 60% percent of them didn’t meet the nutritional data stated on their labels.
Taking Supplements
Most will take supplements, thinking that they’re not getting enough nutrients. Doing so on their own however, will not replace consuming whole foods.
What whole foods contain are complex micro-nutrients that the body needs, such as antioxidants, vitamin C, beta carotene, and calcium, which all work in unison.
There are certain notable nutritional compounds found only in wholesome foods, which are deficient in any supplement of any grade or quality.