Food Fads You Should Avoid
By Sara Butler
Many people decide on a whim they want to eat healthier and cleaner – but what does that mean, exactly? It can be tough to know since there are so many fad diets and deceptive labels to contend with. It makes knowing what is good for you that much harder. If you are looking to improve your eating habits, here’s a simple list of fads and foods that you should try to avoid for your health.
Flavored Greek Yogurt
You’ve seen these in the dairy section of the store – the “Caramel Nougat Mocha Greek Yogurt.” Sounds pretty good, right? And if it’s yogurt, then it’s probably pretty good for you! Well, not exactly.
Greek yogurt does provide a lot of protein, but flavored Greek yogurt often contains a lot of sugar. When you include ingredients such as cookie crumbles or caramel, then you may as well be eating pudding. But this doesn’t mean you need to go with plain Greek yogurt either. If you want to indulge in these types of yogurts, then just make them a dessert (because that’s what it is).
Fiber Filled Cookies and Bars
These have probably garnered your attention in the store, especially if you’re looking to eat healthier. These products may be higher in fiber than other cookies, brownies, and bars, but are still filled with sugar and lacking in the protein department. Consider finding a bar or cookie high in protein and fiber – they’re out there!
Simple Foods
If a food label says “simple” anywhere on it, then you should be wary. That’s because this is becoming a buzzword for a lot of companies that are producing anything but simple foods. Check the ingredients list to see what this “simple” food contains. If it has more than five or six ingredients, then it’s anything but simple.
Natural Foods
This is similar to the term “simple.” Foods that claim to be “natural” may not be using the word as you assume it should be used. It’s not an FDA-approved term and so can be used in any way the food manufacturer sees fit. Examine these items to see what they contain so you can make sure they’re in line with the lifestyle choices you want to make.
The best thing you can do to stay healthy is to think about the foods you're eating -- you'll know if they're really good for you or if it's just a fad.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.