The Top 3 ‘Healthy’ Foods that are Packing on the Pounds
Each day I witness countless products that have “healthy” buzzwords on the food packages. Proceed with caution – red flag caution. If the food manufacturer is labeling a product without fat, without sugar or without gluten, it doesn’t mean it is healthier for you. Here’s why:
Fat-Free. You might think you are making a healthy choice here, but the truth is, that eating certain fat-free foods may cause you to gain weight, not lose it. The reason is that processed fat-free foods lose a valuable taste and mouth feel and because of this, they need to add back certain ingredients such as sugar, fake fats, white flour and more to replace the fat taken out. In fact, sugar, white flour and fake fat such as Olean (a no-calorie, fat-free substitute) all have the potential to increase fat storage along with creating low-level inflammation and FatFlammation.
Gluten-Free. If you don’t have Celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, be careful before ditching foods that contain it. Gluten-free products vary greatly in the amount of fat, protein and other nutrients. Many gluten-free products are refined, very low in fiber, high in fat and can pack on the pounds and promote low-level inflammation.
Diet Soda. To most people, the word “diet” equals weight loss. Unfortunately, diet soda is not holding up its end of the bargain. Diet sodas actually trigger cravings, hunger and weight gain. Research has shown that those who drink two or more diet sodas a day have a greater waist circumference. Along with the hunger and craving triggers, opting for a sugar-free soda may give you that ‘diet permission’ that you have saved calories and can splurge somewhere else.
All the above can contribute to weight gain and a lack of optimal health. The key is not to be afraid of healthy fat. It is satiating and balances your blood sugar leading to a lack of cravings and hunger. Adding fiber to your diet is critical for optimal health and weight loss and removing chemical no-calorie sweeteners will stop the cycle of hunger, cravings and fat storage.
To your good health!
~Lori Shemek