1.
Energy Bars
When they tout how much
fibre and protein they're packed with — or how minimal their "net
carbohydrate" count is — energy bars may seem like super-healthy snacks.
But before you eat one of these plastic-wrapped blocks of "nutrients"
in your mouth, consider how heavily processed most of them are.The more
ingredients listed on the label, the more manufactured energy bars
are. Common ingredients in many energy bars are fancy names for different
forms of sugar.They spike blood sugar levels and court a crash later on without
providing lasting satisfaction and energy.
2.
Low-Fat or Fat-Free Yogurt
When a food product cuts out or
reduces something we've learned is "bad" from its contents, we
falsely conclude it's "better" for us.Not so great if manufacturers
compensate for the tastiness lost in doing so by adding the yogurt full of
sugar. Many low-fat and fat-free yogurts are so high in sugar that they might
as well be considered dessert. Look for unsweetened ones especially Greek
yogurts which are healthy.
3.
Smoothies
Just because they're jam-packed with
whole fruits doesn't mean smoothies are great for our blood sugar levels or for
our belt sizes. They are loaded with sugar especially if the smoothie you're buying
from the store .Prefer Home made smoothies instead.
4.
Granola
The added ingredients (yes, sugars, once again)
and high fat content of most brands makes the stuff less of a healthy choice for most of our diets
so have it in moderation.
5.
Frozen Meals
Most frozen meals contain artificial
additives ,preservatives added. They are made from sub standard quality of ingredients.
6.
Dried Fruit
Dried strawberries and other berries
,guava,pineapple all are loaded with sugar. Raisins, apricots, prunes,
dates, and figs are the only dried fruits that don't have sugar added to them
during the drying process.
7.
Packaged Fruit Juices
The fruits used are of substandard
quality .Once cold pressed, fruit juice is rapidly pasteurized or heat treated.
This heating treatment has been shown to destroy a lot of the nutritional value
of the ingredients along with the naturally occurring digestive enzyme within
the fruit and changes the pH from alkaline to acid. The primary purpose of this
processing is to extend the fruit juice's shelf life. The additives and
preservatives added to the juice may cause carcinogenic effect on our body.
If you are going to buy prepackaged or processed snacks and foods choose
ones that have at max five ingredients — though ideally three or
less. Lastly, be wary of lofty claims — i.e., "As much vitamin C as an
orange!" "High in fibre!" — especially if these boasts are
slapped onto foods you'd otherwise consider "bad for you." Always
wiser to seek the purest source of a nutrient when possible.
