For many people, eating healthier is a goal they try to achieve every day. But that can be difficult if the food industry doesn't prioritize consumer health.
“Research by” Northeastern University Network Science Institute We found that 73% of the U.S. food supply is considered “ultra-processed.” “These foods are cheap, full of additives, and have been linked to diseases such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, heart disease and sleep apnea,” the Deseret News previously reported.
It's easy to fall victim to food-buying catfishing because the food is advertised with common health buzzwords such as:
- Low carb.
- Whole grain.
- Sugar free.
- Vegan.
In reality, just because a food is labeled with commonly health-related terms or is widely considered healthier than other options does not necessarily mean it is beneficial to your health. It doesn't mean that.
Although some foods are commonly branded as “healthy,” they may not be as beneficial as they seem due to high sugar content, artificial additives, and other factors. Here are 10 examples to watch out for.
1. Flavored yogurt
Yogurt often has large amounts of added sugar and artificial flavors. Plain yogurt, especially Greek yogurt, is a healthier alternative.
“When looking at yogurt, you want to avoid added sugar. Sugar is typically added to balance the acidity of natural yogurt flavors,” says Amy Shapiro, founder of Real Nutrition. Told. real simple.
“Eating and consuming probiotics is healthy for the microbiome, so I look for yogurts that contain probiotic strains,” Shapiro said.
2. Granola bars
Although marketed as a healthy snack, many granola bars are loaded with sugar, artificial flavors, and preservatives. The same goes for protein bars.
according to health line,”a 2⁄3A cup (67 grams) of Nature Valley Oats and Dark Chocolate Protein Granola contains 7 grams of added sugar and 290 calories, while a Quaker Chewy Yogurt Granola Bar contains 10 grams of added sugar per bar. Masu. ”
“According to the Food and Drug Administration, the recommended intake (DV) for sugar is 50 grams for a person who consumes 2,000 calories per day,” Healthline added.
Instead of buying pre-made granola at the store, consider making your own granola or granola bars at home that incorporate healthy ingredients like oats and nuts.
3. Fruit juice
Consuming whole fruit is generally a healthier option, as even 100% fruit juice is high in sugar and lacks the dietary fiber of whole fruit. Because children consume the most juice, experts recommend adding water to it to avoid drinking too much.
On the bright side, “fruit juices do contain some nutrients.” Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Said. “Research shows that drinking less than 5 ounces a day reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke. So while a small amount of fruit juice seems fine, any drink containing juice Too much sugar from sources can lead to poor health.”
4. Vegetable chips
Although they may seem like a healthy alternative to potato chips, many vegetable chips are heavily processed and can be high in salt and fat.
“These veggie chips may have slightly fewer calories than potato chips, but they're higher in sodium. A 1-ounce veggie straw provides 220 milligrams of nutrition per ounce, while a potato Chips average 180 milligrams per ounce.” food network.
5. Sports drinks
Unless you're a professional athlete or engaged in long-term, high-intensity exercise, sports drinks like Gatorade aren't necessary, but they can be high in sugar and calories.
“Sports drinks contain less sugar than soda or energy drinks, but they still contain simple sugars.” Harvard School of Public Health Said. “For example, if you compare nutrition, you'll find that a 12-ounce cola drink contains approximately 39 grams of sugar, while a typical sports drink contains 21 grams of sugar. Consuming too much of these can increase your risk of overweight/obesity and other health problems, especially when you're not doing strenuous exercise.”
Even if a product is advertised as healthy, it's important to read the nutrition label and ingredient list carefully to understand what you're getting into.
