If you are a health minded person, you can still be fooled by the sneaky marketing of food companies. You might be surprised at the "healthy" foods that actually aren't good for us.
Here are 7 foods to cross off the healthy list and replace with foods that will support your lean and healthy lifestyle:
1. Breakfast Cereal
It’s delicious, it’s easy to prepare, and sometimes it even gives you enough energy to get to lunchtime. Unfortunately, breakfast cereal is often jam-packed with sugars that will do more to drag you down than build you up for your day. Prefer the flavorless kinds? Then be ready to be hungry soon, as they often don’t provide enough good calories to fill you up for long. Still hungry for a bowl of cereal? Consider this: they’re one of the most processed foods on the market.
Instead: If you really want starchy carbs, choose whole grains like oatmeal, quinoa and brown rice, as unprocessed as possible. Consume a large amount of protein with a small amount of carbohydrate and you'll feel fueled for your day.
2. Flavored Yogurt
Yes, flavored yogurt tastes much better than its plain peers, but going with a pre-flavored yogurt will instantly double the amount of sugar you consume. (and decrease the amount of protein) Fortunately, overcoming the flavorless thing can be done healthily. All you have to do is add chopped, fresh fruit of your choice and enjoy!
One of my favorites when I want "sweet" but I need protein (in the morning especially) is a cup of non or lowfat Plain Greek Yogurt with 1 Tablespoon raw pecans, a sprinkle of oats, a few organic blueberries or raspberries and Tablespoon of unsweetened shredded coconut. YUMMY!😍
3. Frozen Entrees or Take Out Food
It’s amazing how many people rely on "fast" meals on a regular basis. We are busy people and many folks don't have the time or the desire to prepare their own food. If you’re a frozen or take out eater, you might be sacrificing fast for healthy. On top of frequently lacking all the vitamins and minerals you need for optimal health, frozen and take out meals often ooze with trans-fats and sodium. This means that while your palate may be pleased, your waist, arteries, and heart will not.
Instead: You can "meal prep" once or twice per week, or cook up a big batch of a healthy meal to eat over a few days (like my Turkey Chili, healthy Lasagne or Gypsy Soup) and make your life easier (and healthier) by stocking up on my fresh and delicious DONE-FOR-YOU-MEALS! I keep these in the fridge and freezer for easy and fast meals that are balanced and can be seasoned as desired. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
4. Diet Soda
One of the most dangerous items to ever be invented was the diet soda. By trimming certain things from the ingredients list, soda manufacturers guaranteed a giant market share, consisting largely of people who are attempting to lose weight and be health conscious. Unfortunately, diet soda messes with your body’s ability to recognize and manage sugar properly. And while diet drinks may be calorie-free, those who drink them are at a much greater risk for weight gain than those who do not.
Instead: Try a speaking water that's flavored with real fruit or make your own "Spa Water" or Tea.
5. Popcorn
No, all popcorn is not to be avoided at all costs. But more than likely, a lot of the unpopped kernels in your kitchen should be ditched. Here’s a good way to determine if your popcorn is at war with your good health. Is it in a prepackaged bag that simply has to be tossed in the microwave to be cooked? Then stay away! Those prepackaged popcorn packages, whether lightly buttered, drowning in butter, or candied, offer no benefit. If you’re going to do popcorn, you’ll need to pop it the old-fashioned way, preferably via air popping.
6. “Skinny” Desserts
The word “skinny” is alluring. It’s what many people want to achieve. However, these diet dessert are often filled with artificial ingredients and sugars that are keeping you stuck with your fat loss.
Instead: Enjoy Mother Nature's desserts: Fresh fruit, raw nuts, even some dark chocolate. (See my yogurt "parfait" above!)
7. Granola Bars and other Snack Bars
Enjoyed by healthy hikers around the world, granola bars are great when you are out on the trail and need a bunch of sugar calories to sustain your intense prolonged exercise. But read the ingredient label and you’ll soon see that there is probably more sugar—sometimes high-fructose corn syrup—than goodness your body can use. Honey, nuts, grains and fruit are perfect for fast acting carbohydrates when you are running or hiking for hours.
But for those of us who sit most of the day, protein plus a small amount of healthy fats and complex carbohydrates will help us stay fueled for work while avoiding storing excess calories as body fat.
There are a few Protein Bars that I like. Sweet enough to be satisfying and delicious, but balanced for maximum benefits. Reach out to me for my list. 😃
It’s my goal to see you achieve your goals. I believe that you’ve got what it takes.
It’s so simple. Call or email today to get started on a program that will improve your health and well being, and will get you amazing results.
Rose
healthyhabitsstudio@gmail.com
cell: 916-204-7729
