Consumption of unhealthy food can be the primary cause of many medical conditions. Such food products are usually processed, packed with sugar, additives and preservatives which make them last longer.
But, it has become really difficult nowadays to distinguish healthy food from unhealthy one. Many food products that are marketed as healthy actually have an extremely negative effect on your well-being. So, it is important to inform yourself and read food labels when you are in a store. Some food products which are unhealthy even though they do not appear to be such in the first place will be discussed in greater detail in the continuation of this article.
Flavored Fat-Free Yogurt
Do not let the name of it deceive you. If something is fat-free it does not mean that it is healthy. In order to compensate for the lack of the fat, many flavored yogurts contain an additional 15 grams of sugar. A much better alternative is ordinary fat-free Greek yogurt flavored with fruit and a drop of honey.
Microwave Popcorn
Popcorn is supposedly the healthiest of all snacks, but only if you pop a few regular corn kernels and flavor them to your taste. There is a large variety of microwave popcorn to choose from, however they contain high levels of sodium and the chemical diacetyl which makes them bad for you.
Dried Fruit
Not all dried fruits are unhealthy. For example, raisins, apricots, prunes, dates and figs do not contain any sugar, which is included during the drying process. The rest contain both sugar and sulfur. Obviously, fresh fruit is a much better source of fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Reduced-Fat Peanut Butter
Actually, peanuts are packed with healthy monounsaturated fats. If you read the labels of the two varieties you will see that there is, almost, no difference in the number of calories. The reduced-fat peanut butter contains a larger amount of sugar and other fillings, which make it harmful.
Protein Bars
Not all protein bars are unhealthy, but the majority of them is. Besides healthy ones, which are organic, most of them are processed and contain a long list of artificial ingredients and fillers. To be more precise, if it has more than 8 grams of sugar, it resembles an ordinary candy bar with an addition of protein.
Energy Drinks
They are represented as drinks that contain healthy vitamins and minerals, as well as caffeine that gives you an energy boost. In fact, they are loaded with sugar, so they are extremely harmful, especially for your teeth. Even the best dentists in Chatswood recommend water instead of these drinks, as well as a quality nutrition.
Diet Soda
Diet does not mean healthy. These sodas are made with artificial ingredients and flavoring, so they are unnatural and high in sodium. What is more, people who regularly drink such beverages are known to eat more calories after consuming diet cola.
Granola
Granola is seemingly healthy as it contains rolled oats, nuts and dried fruits. However, there is a lot of added sugar and therefore, extra calories. A bowl of granola can have over 500 calories without the milk. High-fiber varieties with low sugar are healthier alternatives.
Light Salad Dressings
Light salad dressings are loaded with preservatives and other additives, as well as sodium and sugar, all of which make it very harmful. A better option for seasoning a salad is some virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Fish Sandwich
Fish is definitely healthy, but when it is fried, in a bun coated with butter and with some tartar sauce or mayonnaise, it loses its health benefits. Instead, you should just grill some fish fillets and add some steamed veggies, for instance.
Actually, It Is not That Complicated
It is pretty simple, if a product’s label includes a long list of ingredients and is processed, it is almost in all cases unhealthy. If you are not looking to add pounds you should buy raw ingredients and prepare your own meals. This also applies to drinks, you should avoid most commercial juices, and instead, drink water or make your own juice from fresh fruits.
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