9 dietitians "healthy" hate
They may seem healthy, but be careful!
As much as you canto try To make good choices when you go shopping food, the reality is that sometimes you are fooled. Blame it on misleading marketing claims, contradictory research and confusionIngredient lists-The supermarket shelves are stored with foods that despite their health halo, have tons of sugar, sodium, saturated grease and other additives that do not take exactly to your body. This is why the shelves are packaged with "healthy" foods that dietitians really hate.
In fact, a2017 study, which examined millions of grocery shopping in the United States, revealed that vague and unreliable complaints on the amount ofsugar, salt and grease were common on many products. For example, many fruit juices marketed as low sugar actually have more sugars than comparable products without these claims. And somebreakfast cereals which are labeled as low in calories had a calorie content higher than the other products without these claims.
The lesson here? Do not judge food by his label. It's not because something says "whole grain" or "all natural" does not necessarily mean it's good for you.
We hate to be the wearer of bad news, but according to dietitians, the following foods may not be as "healthy" you have once thought. Here are some examples of dietitians hate food and for healthier food tips, make sure you check out our list of21 best healthy cooking hacks of all time.
Energy bars
Protein bars Seeing as a healthy choice when you need some food by hand to retain you between meals. Only many of them are loaded with sugar and calories. In fact, Andres Ayesta, a registered dietician and founder ofNutrition, says most of them contain as many calories as a candy bar.
"Another word for energy is calories but if we called it" Calorie Bar ", no one would buy them," said Gina Keatley, Dietitian and Nutritionist certified toKeatley Medical Nutrition Therapy At New York. "These bars are designed to be used when you need a lot of fast energy in a tiny package, as you're climbing. But chances are you do not have climbing."
Ayesta recognizes that some of them can be a practical source ofproteinBut it should take a look at the label to see how much they contain sugar. Keep in mind that there is a difference between the bars containing natural sugar of fruits (such as dates, for example) andadded sugar Just to improve the flavor.
If you always like to store it on energy bars, here is hereBest healthy protein bars and low sugar in 2020, according to dietitians.
Smoothies and juice bought in store
NumerousSmoothies purchased in store And the juices seem healthy because they beat dozens of fruits or vegetables that they contain in a portion. However, according to the registered dietitianShena JaramilloOne of the most important advantages that products have to offer:fiber.
"Cold pressed juices are large sources of nutrients of fruits and vegetables, but you remove a lot of similar fibers, which increases the effect of fullness or satiety," says Ayesta. "And you also focus the amount of sugar you get. These juices are usually absorbed quickly so that they make you faster faster."
For this reason, it is better to eat fruit or plant. When you want fruit juice, Keatley simply advises keeping yourPortion sizes in check. here isWhat is the size of perfect food portions look like.
"The size of the juice portion should be 4 ounces," she says. "A server closer to 32 ounces can radically raise blood glucose, put a large load on your liver."
Granola
Granola is made from oats - so it must be healthy, right? Unfortunately, a lotGranolas purchased in store are full of added sugar. And depending on the amount of oil to which it is done, it can also be raised in fat too.
"On the one hand of an ounce of 1 discernment, you get not only a high caloric load, but a false feeling of well-being that can tilt your choices for the rest of the day," explains Keatley. "In addition, Granola tends to have a lot of omega-6 fatty acids that can elevate your blood pressure and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke."
This does not mean that you can never enjoy a little bit of granola, but treat it as a garnish rather than the main course, for example, a pinch on a bowl ofGreek yogurt can go very far. In the end, you will do better to make your own granola at home because you can control the amount of sugar added and savor with spices without calories (like cinnamon) instead. Try thatRECIPE TO GRANOLA Orange-Orange Homemade at home.
Nut milk
Almond milkWalnut milk, cashew milk and hemp milk are just some of the non-fashionable alternatives that have become popular in recent years, but experts say they are not necessarily healthier than the real thing. Of course, if you are vegan orlactose intolerantThere is nothing wrong with substituting them. However, Keatley notes that low fat dairy offers many nutrients than nut milk - such as calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin D (in enriched products), riboflavin, vitamin B12, the Protein, potassium, zinc, choline, magnesium and selenium.
"Walnut brands are lower in nutritional value and also have comparable environmental effects," she says.
Before buying any nuts of walnuts, it is always wise to check the amount of added sugar.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil It became more and more popular - especially with the rise of the Ceto and Paleo regime - but you may want to think twice before cooking with it. Although this is marketed as a healthy cardiac option, experts say that it also has serious disadvantages.
A2016 survey by the New York TimesHe found that while 72% of Americans have evaluated coconut oil as "healthy", only 37% of nutrition experts agreed. Why the divergence? Well, for one, coconut oil is80 to 90% saturated greasewho can lift yourLDL "bad" cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends limiting your daily consumption of saturated grease to a maximum of13 gramsand a tablespoon of coconut oil contains about 11 grams, which is much more than most common culinary oils, such as canola oil, linen oil and olive oil extra virgin.
"There are nutritional benefits for coconut oil, including reduced inflammation and increased immunity," Jaramillo said. "However, the addition of coconut oil to everything will simply increase global calories and fat consumption potentially resulting in weight gain and other chronic conditions."
If you want to reduce your risk of cardiac disease,Harvard Health Indicates that coconut oil is not a good choice.
Protein powder
Especially if you are physically super active,protein powder May seem an excellent addition to your diet for a quick energy boost. It is important to be aware that some protein powders have up to 20 grams of sugar per spoon. Not only that, but you can load unnecessarily on the proteins your body does not need. Eating too much protein can result in weight gain and kidney damage,Other negative effects.
"Protein powders are excellent if we try to increase calories for sport or the increase in lean body mass," explains Jaramillo. "However, this is not the case for all of us. Many Americans already have excess protein in our diet and adding protein powder when not justified, simply add calories and could result in weight gain. "
Not only that, but a report from theClean label project, which analyzed 134 different protein powders, found thatMany products contain heavy metals, BPA, pesticides and other contaminants with links to cancer and other serious health conditions.
As a general rule, it is better to bring your protein from whole dishes (such as lean meats and seafood, low fat dairy products, legumes, nuts and seeds and eggs). But if you really need a convenient way to complete your diet with extra proteins, be sure to search for powders without low chemicals and do not containArtificial sweeteners.
here isThe surprising truth about the protein powders you need to know.
Gluten-free treatments
Newsflash: Just because a cookie isgluten free Does not mean it's healthier.
"It always contains calories," says Ayesta. "And as the sugar is free of gluten, these baked products are not necessarily sugar."
In fact, some gluten-free desserts have actuallyMore sugar, grease and calories-If a comparable amount, that their conventional counterparts. This does not mean that you can not enjoy one of these treats from time to time, but if you are not on a gluten-free diet, be aware that these bakery products are not necessarily better for you.
Veggie fries
With "Veggie" in the title, it's easy to assume that these snacks are good for you. But do not be fooled - they are still consideredtransformed junk food. The same goes for Veggie pasta (like fettuccine spinach), according to Ayesta.
"The reality is that many of these products use vegetable powders to add color to these foods, but the nutritional value of its non - legal counterparties is about the same," he explains.
Basically, you will better climb crudités with a dip or trim of yourPastawith vegetables, like what we do in these35 healthy pasta recipes.
Alternatives of meat
There is no denying thatAlternatives of meat Are all the rage right now - while walking in your local grocery store, you will see all soy-based hamburgers with fake "chicken" nuggets and vegan sausages. However, while reducing the consumption of overall meat for your health (and your planet), it is important to know that these products are not always so healthy as possible.
These alternatives are often not better in thesodium Or grease department that their meat counterparts - some manufacturers add a lot of salt to taste them and that coconut oil is also a common ingredient. Not only that, but they are generally very transformed.
"Meat alternatives usually contain a lot of additives and ingredients to preserve their freshness," says Ayesta. "In addition, many of these false meat are dense calories."
For example,The impossible hamburger contains 14 grams of fat (8 grams of which saturated) And the burger beyond contains a 18 grams of fat.
TheAmerican Heart Association Reports that many of these products contain doubtful additives and recommends consider beans and legumes for a source of healthier vegetarian proteins. Note that the best meat alternatives will have shorter ingredient lists, with mainly recognizable integer foods and limited additives to pronounce. Or try one of them13 large protein alternatives if you can not find meat at the grocery store.