Are certain health foods derailing your diet?
Read on… you’ll be surprised to know just how wrong you are going!
Are you one of those dieters who’ll gobble up foods labelled as healthy? You know the avocado and quinoa types, the new-age superfoods? According to the Cambridge dictionary, health food is defined as food that is believed to be good for you because it does not contain artificial chemicals or excess sugar and/or fat. That being said, just because some foods are healthy we cannot consume them in unlimited portions. As with all food groups, moderation is key, especially to support physical, mental and emotional health. Any kind of overindulgence could lead to metabolic syndrome, compromising your immunity as well.
Arm yourself with the right information on ‘superfoods’…
1. Cold press juices: Fruits are rich in fibre, have natural sugar and vitamins, and are high in antioxidants as well, but one must stick to just 2 a day especially when on a weight loss plan. At Selfcare, we’ve noticed that those who have fruits on an empty stomach are prone to digestive issues like gas, acidity and reflux. Fruit is a great substitute to dessert, but having more than 70gms of fruit per day can cause bloating and flatulence. These days, cold press juices have become all the rage, but since there is no protein in juices or fruits, you are losing out on one major macronutrient when you replace your meals with them.
2. Proteins/protein powder: Have you ever felt lethargic, or that you are not losing weight like you thought you would when following a high-protein diet?
Protein requirement depends on age, gender and activity levels. It’s a myth that you need only protein to lose weight or bulk up—you simply cannot cut out other food groups. Ideally one must consume 0.8-1gm of protein per kg of ideal body weight to avoid excess deposition of fat and stay healthy.
3. Good fats/ nut butters: Butters made from freshly ground peanuts and almonds, avocados and seeds are great sources of good fats, giving us satiety as well as improving skin, hair and heart health. Since they are so nutrient dense and tasty, one tend to consume them in excess—this leads to weight gain and bloating. One must consume a combination of MUFA, PUFA and saturated fat. Exercise too is a must—your body has to work equally hard to burn good fats as well.
4. Artificial sweeteners: Unless you are a diabetic, do not opt for artificial sweeteners. According to renowned American professor Terry Davidson, artificial sweeteners may disrupt the body’s natural ability to count calories based on the sweetness of the food—the body feels like it is not taking in any extra calories, leading to an increase in food intake and weight gain.
5. Gluten-free foods: Gluten-free diets were basically designed for those with conditions like the hashimoto syndrome, celiac disease, gluten allergy and fibromyalgia. These days, however, several dieters seem to have gone off gluten even if not suffering from any of the above diseases. In such cases, especially when done without any professional supervision, gut immunity goes for a toss and B12 levels decrease.
6. Smoothie bowls: In a recent article posted by Huffington Post, 1 bowl of acai at a restaurant = 490kcal and 67gms of sugar… It’s a fructose load all at once!.A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that too much fructose can lead to insulin resistance and, eventually, even diabetes. And while controversial, a recent study found possible links between sugary foods that spike insulin levels and acne.
