7 Foods You Need To Break Up With
It’s going to be tough to learn the truth about these “healthy” foods, but overall your body will thank you. (Photo by Vicki Reid/iStock/Getty Images)
1. Juices
It may be convenient to drink your vegetables rather than eat them, but juicing is not the most healthful way to consume your colorful, antioxidant-rich produce. Unlike smoothies, which include whole fruits and vegetables as well as protein-rich powders, plain Greek yogurt and sometimes heart-healthy nut butters or seeds, juicing leaves much of the goodness behind to provide just the sugars from your produce.The result? A tasty, antioxidant drink that lacks the fiber, protein and satiety that a well-made smoothie can provide.
2. Flavored Greek Yogurt
While Greek yogurt provides more protein than traditional American yogurt, flavored Greek yogurt also provides a significant amount of sugar. When toppings like caramel sauce or crumbled cookies are added, Greek yogurt rivals pudding or other creamy desserts. If you love your flavored Greek and can’t picture making the change to plain, make it just that: your dessert.
Related: How to Slash Sodium From Your Diet
3. Wheat vs. Whole Wheat
Whole-wheat foods provide fiber, protein and other positive ingredients that you want in your diet. You can identify a whole-wheat food by its first ingredient, which should read as “100-percent whole wheat.” It’s important to note the difference between these foods and those breads, which are “wheat” breads. Unlike whole-wheat breads, wheat breads are not whole grain and are generally not rich in fiber or protein.
4. ”Natural” Foods
Similar to the deception that comes with words like simple, “natural” is not an FDA-approved term and therefore can be used to draw in consumers seeking a more natural diet. Closely examine foods with this label to ensure you are consuming those that fit the lifestyle choices you are trying to make.
5. Foods with Healthy-Looking Packaging
Fancy fonts, creative packaging and foods that appear to be “good” for you aren’t always so. You may be in a rush when you’re shopping, but take a moment to review the nutrition facts and make sure the foods going into your cart are the foods you mean to be bringing into your home.
Related: Orthorexia: An Unhealthy Obsession With Healthy Eating
6. Sports Drinks
In most cases, water or coconut water is all you need to replenish and replace electrolytes. Pass on sugary sports drinks that are offering more artificial ingredients, calories and other additives your body doesn’t need rather than just the hydration you are seeking.
7. Foods Labeled With “Whole Grains”
What does it mean that a food offers 12 grams of whole grain? Not much, unless there’s a nutrition facts panel and ingredient list to back it up. While you do want whole grains in your diet, the best place to find them is in whole-grain breads, cereals, crackers and the like made from 100-percent whole-grain flours.
The original article “Foods You Should Break Up With Right Now" appeared on LIVESTRONG.COM.
By Allison Stowell
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