If you think you know which foods are healthy and which ones are not, you might be surprised to learn that you could be wrong about a few things.
Here is a look at some foods that are commonly thought of as healthy, but really are not as good for you as you probably believe:
Fruit juice.
Juice is always good for you, right? Not necessarily. While fruits and vegetables are indeed nutritious, juice is not always as healthy as it might seem. Most juices are highly concentrated with lots of sugar and calories. Moreover, juice does not really offer any of the fibre benefits you get from eating the fruits and vegetables themselves.
Fruit yoghurt.
Yoghurt is an excellent source of calcium, but the fruit varieties often have too much sugar. To get the most out of your yoghurt, you should stick to plain or Greek yoghurts.
Smoothies.
That fruit smoothie is just a healthier version of a milkshake, right? Wrong! Many fruit smoothies are actually loaded with fat and sugar, especially if they are made with ice cream or yoghurt. If you cannot give up smoothies, try a healthier version made with a single piece of fruit, some low fat milk, and lots of ice.
Coconut water.
It is true that coconut water is one of the most hydrating beverages you can find, but that does not make it any lower in sugar. In fact, most coconut water has about 18 grams of sugar, which is incredibly high. Having coconut water every once in a while is not going to ruin your diet, but you should not drink it in place of plain water.
Gluten-free bread.
Unless you have Celiac disease or an allergy to gluten, it may not be a good idea to eliminate it from your diet. Gluten-free foods such as bread are not necessarily better for your health. Gluten-free breads typically have a higher carbohydrate content than regular bread.
Diet soda.
Just because something is labelled “diet” does not mean it is good for you. In fact, when it comes to diet sodas, this is especially true. Diet sodas contain artificial sweeteners and preservatives, making them an unhealthy choice. Studies have shown that artificial sweeteners have been linked to illness and poor cellular function within the body.
If you think a particular food is healthy, you might want to think again. In order to get the most nutrition from your food, consider eating natural, unprocessed foods.
