Are These Food Trends Healthy?
By Sara Butler
Some food trends take great pictures to share on social media but may not be all they're cracked up to be when it comes to their health benefits. Even superfood status can't save some food trends from the trash cans of health history. Here are a few food trends that look delicious but may be more hype than a healthy substance.
Acai Bowls
Acai seems so exotic. And the purple smoothies you see on your social media feed look pretty tasty to boot. Acai is a South American fruit that has a lot of antioxidants, it's true. And these antioxidants are helpful to help fight inflammation in your body in similar fashion to the antioxidants found in blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries. But it's important to remember all the other stuff paired with acai in these smoothies may not be as healthy for you.
It's easy to go overboard with ingredients that tend to be high in sugar such as granola, agave, maple syrup, dates, chocolate chips, and fruit juices. These ingredients can really add a lot of sugar to something that started out pretty healthy but turned into a high-calorie sugar bomb.
If you want to experiment with the wonders of acai smoothies, then try pairing it with berries or healthy fats such as nut butter or coconut.
Hip Beverages
You've probably seen your fair share of mushroom teas, matcha mochas, and turmeric lattes and they all seem as if they're a great way to add as a nutritional bump to your daily hydration needs. It is true that some of these ingredients have health benefits, such as the anti-inflammatory properties found in turmeric. But it's important to think about what you're pairing these healthy ingredients with.
Many beverages contain added sugars and sweeteners. You can easily avoid these by choosing a plant-based alternative such as almond or coconut milk and skipping any additional sweeteners. If you order these beverages in your favorite coffee shop, add your own sweetener so you can control the amount of sugar.
Avocado Toast
Avocado toast is pretty popular and it's healthy for you too, as long as you keep portion sizes in mind. One serving of avocado is about a quarter of a medium avocado. If you pile the entire avocado on top you're looking at over 500 calories in avocado alone, plus the toast and whatever else you've added.
Pair your avocado toast with a protein such as eggs or nuts. This will make it more of a meal and help you feel fuller for longer. Plus, portion out the avocado and keep tabs on how much you're having. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing, after all!
If you have questions about nutrition, don't hesitate to ask the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Jacksonville, Fla.