One of the biggest challenges for most people when starting a diet is selecting the right foods. However, the real question is which foods are actually healthy for us? It is important that you figure this out before starting, because some of these so-called healthy aren’t as healthy as you think. So on that note, here are a few “healthy” foods that can negatively impact your diet?
Trail Mixes and Granola
Some of you may find this first one surprising. Bear in mind that oats, nuts and other grains are healthy snacks under normal conditions. But with that said, it can still quite unhealthy. The details lie in the preparation, so you have to look beyond the calories. If you notice that your trail mix is clumped and sticky, this simply means that it was prepared with a lot of oil and butter.
Baked Chips
Even though it’s healthier to eat baked chips over fried ones because less oil is used to prepare them, baked is not always better. With less oil being used, manufacturers have to make up for the taste by adding more sugar and salt, and that will only make things worse. With the increased levels of sugar and salt in the bloodstream, various health complications can arise. Try replacing those chips with more fruits and vegetables.
Fat-Free Foods
Let me make it clear that not all fat-free foods are a suspect. The persons who make some of these fat-free foods usually compensate for the lack of fat by adding corn syrup. This is done in an attempt to extend the shelf life of the product while adding little or no nutritional value. Fat is an essential part of any diet, but it should be consumed in small portions. Go for healthy fats that can be found in fish and nuts.
Protein Shakes
A wise idea would be to make your own shakes, so you will know exactly what you’re putting into your body. They are quite helpful in reducing the urge to eat and boosting metabolism. If you refrain from purchasing the shakes on the shelf that would be a great start, seeing that they are normally loaded with harmful chemicals and sugar substitutes that might do more harm than good.
Gluten-Free Foods
There are many people who are unable to properly digest gluten and these foods can really come in handy. At the same time, some of these gluten-free products contain up to twice the amount of carbs when compared to the regular stuff. It all comes down to what your body is able to manage, but you should pay keen attention to your labels just to be on the safe side.
Sugar-Free Sodas
You should keep in mind that just because it has the words “sugar-free” in the name doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good for you. Look at it this way, the people who make this product will say there is less sugar in it, but it still tastes pretty sweet. This is because more artificial sweeteners are used to replace the usual sugars that would be added under normal circumstances. In most instances, we aren’t sure what these sugar substitutes really are.
Soup
Even though soup can be a very healthy and filling meal, you might be overlooking a few of the details. For example, soups that have a creamy base usually contain high amounts of fat. There is also the high sodium factor that many tend to ignore. Salt can turn out to be your worst enemy if you aren’t careful and it can lead to things such as hypertension, stomach cancer and stroke just to name a few.
You need to understand that healthy foods by themselves are not the only things involved in healthy eating. Moderation is just as important as any other factor. So with that in mind, read your labels carefully and know what you’re putting into your body.
