Back in 60’s, granola, cereal and energy bars were considered the healthiest food choices. But today granola, cereal and energy bars are considered in terms of fats and calories, no more stand as a dieter’s picks. So, was it a misconception among people to assume they are healthy? And what exactly are the good diet foods?
Facts about Diet Foods
Experts say; some diet friendly foods may contain a minuscule amount of vitamins, and sometimes even helpful herbs but loaded with sugar and fat that overdoes the benefits. Let’s us now find out some more such offenders that are commonly mistaken for being diet-friendly. And the foods for a healthy diet.
Diet Foods To Be Avoided
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Reduced-Fat Peanut Butter
Reduced-fat peanut butter does not necessarily mean a healthier version. In fact, the regular peanut butter itself is actually healthy due to a combination of mono and polyunsaturated fats present in it. In Reduced-Fat Butter, the manufacturers compensate the reduced fat with the sugar.
On a cautionary note, look for food label for no added oils, sugars and hydrogenated fats. Also as peanut itself is high in calories, so, watch your servings as well. So, now you know whether this comes under healthy diet foods.
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Prepared Salad
Salads are the so-called dieters friendly because anything winged with the word “salad” sounds healthy to folks. But that isn’t all right. The fact being many salads are packed with unhealthy add-ons, such as cheese (100 calories in four dice-sized cubes), bacon bits, creamy dressings, and croutons.
Restaurants offer salads often loaded with high fats and calories dressing. So, when ordering out, go for prepared salad with low-fat mayonnaise and watch the portion size as well. Its much better if can you make your salad at home. And they come under foods that are not processed, so they are healthy, and you should add it to your diet foods list.
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Bran Muffins
Its so that when you visit a coffee shop, you tend to opt for a bran muffin as it seems to be made with bran that is naturally healthy. But the muffins, which you are spending on, do not fetch many health benefits.
The bran muffins at a bakery may typically contain 600mg of sodium― approximately one-third of the day’s maximum.
If you are very much found of muffin, its better you prepare a healthier version of it at home or if bought, avoid eating it up all at once. So, they do look like they are healthy, but they come under foods that are not healthy.
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Foods Labeled “Fat-Free”
These are the most appealing foods for the people these days and also the worst offenders as well. Most of them take the claim for being granted to consume more, which can wreak havoc on them as the removed fat is being replaced by sugar and sodium.
Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, are typically high in saturated fat; choose fat-free or low-fat versions.
According to FDA regulations, food can be labeled “fat-free” if it contains 0.5 grams of fat per serving. Do not forget to read the labels while navigating your grocery aisles. Carbs are healthy, but these are foods that are not carbs.
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Smoothies
Avoid sweet, caloric fillers like whole milk, ice cream, fruit juice blends with added sugar, and sherbet. Go for smoothies that don’t exceed 450 calories, and contain mostly fresh veggies and fruit.
The best way to ensure your smoothie bountiful would be to make it on your own. Throw in some fresh fruits, yoghurt, in a blender and let it go buzz!! If you add too much of sugar, then they would become diabetes friendly foods.
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Vitamin and Energy Drinks
The American Heart Association recommends no more than 6.5 teaspoons of added sugar a day. But it seems that we tend to ingest somewhere around 22-30 teaspoons of added sugar a day leaving us with empty calories from the sweetened beverages and other similar drinks.
Its better if you watch your intake on these empty calories. At home, make your flavored water, adding in sliced cucumbers, oranges, berries, and lemons.
Try this natural and homemade Energizing drink packed with vital nutrients like Vitamin A, C, E, B6, Folic Acid and Potassium offering you tons of energy.
If you want to lose weight, then go for Mediterranean diet foods.
Energy Drink Recipe – Handful of Parsley, 4 Carrots, handful of Spinach, ¼ slice of Ginger.
If looking for a boost of vitamins? Popping a Multivitamin with water would be better.
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