Top Not So Healthy Health Foods

Many of these have been labeled as “health foods”, but are they really? I’m here to DEBUNK some of the top foods labeled as “healthy”!

You’ll notice a trend with these items; they are all packaged or processed! True healthy foods are REAL and whole: produce, fruit, nuts & seeds, lean proteins…They don’t have added sweeteners, artificial ingredients or have chemically modified! Keep it simple: Aim for foods with 1 ingredient on the label 😊

Cereals & Granolas: Many of these have added sugars, refined flours and are very calorically dense for it’s portion size. Many cereals have been tested positive for glyphosate, a known toxin!

Juices & Sports Drinks: These are very high in sugars, artificial colors & ingredients. Want the nutrients from fruit? Have whole fruit instead of the concentrated liquids.

Snack, Granola & Protein Bars: While they might seem healthier than a candy bar, many still are WAY high in sugar, refined carbs, soy, vegetable oils and poor protein amounts. Consider making your own snack bars (it’s not hard!) or get really picky with brands.

Whole-Grain Breads: While some are less processed than white breads, most whole wheat or whole grain bread products are still in fact enriched flour, have added sugar (sometimes high fructose corn syrup) and can still spike blood sugar & inflammation as much as white breads. A better option? Sprouted grains, like Ezekiel or Angelic Bakehouse brands, which contain no added sugars & are easier for the body to break down.

Packaged Trail Mixes: That salty sweet combo is kryptonite to me! The portion of chocolate, dried fruit and other goodies end up outweighing the small amount of nuts & seeds. They’re also very calorie dense and easy to overdo the portions (who can stop at ¼ cup?!) Consider making your own, with a 2:1 ratio of nuts/seeds to “fun” ingredients.

Diet, Sugar & Fat Free Items: These have all been chemically processed to have that specific “healthy” label. These have fake sugars, like sucralose, which has been linked to neurological issues and cancer. Many also contain weird additives in order to make it taste good. Opt for either real organic products or natural sweeteners like stevia.

Flavored Yogurts: Many of these little cups contain 20g + of added sugar! Plus conventional dairy products is allergenic and can be attributed to many health issues. Go for plain unsweetened Greek, cashew or coconut yogurt, and add your own fruit.

Veggie Burgers & Vegan Products: These boast as protein substitutes, when in fact most are very high in carbs and inflammatory fats. Most use soy as a main ingredient, which too much of can disrupt our own hormone levels. Make your own bean or lentil burgers instead of the frozen packaged.

Butter Spreads: Products like I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, Smart Balance etc. are blends of high inflammatory vegetable oils and chemicals! While it’s not butter, it STILL is a fat. Use the REAL thing, grass fed butter, or dairy free options like ghee or coconut oil.

Gluten Free Products: You can be gluten free and not eat anything that is labeled “gluten free”. Gluten free products can still have just as many ingredients as the white flour kinds. Snack items like cookies & baked goods can have the same nutritional value and calories as the traditional cookies…they should still be considered a treat! Be aware that not all brands are created equal and to minimize the amount of packaged food overall, and that includes gluten free options.

Questions? I know you have them! Let’s chat!