“Healthy” Foods to be Wary About

CEBU, Philippines - The holidays are over. Most people are now trying to get back in shape. Those that find it hard to go to the gym just try eating clean and swapping fatty snacks for healthier alternatives.

But some nutritionists caution that certain trendy foods and drinks that are thought to be healthy are actually not good for the body, including popcorn snacks and coconut water. The website www.dailymail.co.uk lists the seven types of foods and drinks that nutritionist say people should stop eating.

Popcorn Snacks

Most people eat popcorn as the healthy alternative to crisps. But popcorn may not really be that good for the body.

Experts say that popcorns are not really health food. These are just presumed guilt-free snacks by many dieters, but even some of the supposed “healthiest” popcorn brands can still contain over 450 kcals per 70g bag, and these are loaded with salt, as well.

Natural Sweeteners

Nutritionists warn against replacing refined sugar with natural alternatives such as agave syrup and maple syrup. They say these “healthy” alternatives are actually no better.

Regular sugar is typically 50 percent fructose – but agave can be as high as 90 percent fructose. Although fructose won’t raise blood sugar levels in the short term, it can contribute to insulin resistance, causing major increases in long term blood sugar. This will increase the risk of metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes.

There is no such thing as healthy sweetener, according to nutritionists. Whether it's coconut sugar, honey, agave, maple syrup, they are all still sugar. While these may be a better alternative to table sugar, they still need to be used sparingly.

Coconut Water

One nutritionist that coconut water is actually packed full of sugar. And it actually contains more sugar than a popular-brand doughnut, even though it is marketed as a healthy drink.

The average 330ml tetra-pack of coconut water has more sugar than a doughnut. Unfortunately, the additional potassium and other electrolytes from this beverage simply do not outweigh the negatives that come with the additional sugar. The expert advice is to swap coconut water with water infused with berries overnight.  

Protein Bars

Protein bars are a quick and convenient snack for people on the go. But a nutritionist warns against eating protein bars, citing that these are often packed full of sugar, calories, hydrogenated oils, cheap fillers, binders and stabilizers.

Protein bars are best for elite athlete, they could be a convenient way to increase their protein and calorie intake, but for the average person the nutritionally void, low-quality ingredients can lead to weight gain, and are hard for the body to digest.

Breakfast Biscuits

Some breakfast biscuits are said to contain as much as 13g of sugar per serving – the equivalent to three teaspoons of sugar or a chocolate bar.

A high protein meal for breakfast with complex carbohydrates should be preferred instead, to ensure blood sugar levels are balanced and bodies have sufficient fuel to serve as energy. Items like breakfast biscuits which contain sucralose raise blood sugar levels, making the person hungrier soon after eating them and thus actively contribute to weight gain.

Frozen Yogurt

More sugar are reportedly contained in frozen yoghurt than in ice cream, despite yogurt being marketed as a healthy alternative. In order to get rid of the tart taste, yogurt manufacturers often have to add additional sweetness. So even if it’s fat-free, the sugar in it will still lead to weight gain.

It is recommended instead to blend yoghurt and berries with a pinch of cinnamon before freezing in ice-lolly moulds for a low sugar, healthy frozen yoghurt alternative.

Gluten-Free Foods

Cutting out gluten from one’s diets could have a severe impact on one’s health, experts warn. Removing gluten from one’s diet without medical necessity exposes one to the risk of missing out on some vitamins and other essential nutrients.

Most gluten-free products available tend to be quite low in iron, calcium, fiber, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folate. And gluten-free junk food is still junk food.

Now, it would seem that there are truly two sides to everything. And one has to be smart enough to choose the side that offers either the most benefit or the least disadvantage. (FREEMAN)