'Healthy' Foods -- Exposed!
By Sara Butler
Attempting to eat healthy can be difficult, especially with the sheer amount of conflicting information out there about foods that are healthy competing alongside fad foods and diets that are dominating the news. Here are some healthy food trends that turn out to not be so healthy for you.
Turkey Bacon
Bacon isn't known as a healthy food -- but turkey is. So, it would stand to reason that turkey bacon takes something that isn't very good for you and turns it into something that is, right? Not so much.
People labor under the impression that turkey bacon is healthier because it has less fat and sodium than regular bacon, but the truth is that when you think something is better for you, then you tend to eat more of it. That's a problem because turkey bacon doesn't actually have less sodium than normal bacon. And if you eat more of it, then you're not necessarily getting fewer calories or less fat than if you'd just stuck with the real stuff.
The lesson to take away from this? You may be better off having regular bacon and just watching your portions.
Coconut Oil
People have gone cuckoo for coconut oil as an alternative to butter and olive oil due to the belief that the antioxidants in coconut oil make the switch worth it. Well, you may want to slow your coconut roll because just one tablespoon of this stuff has 12 grams of saturated fat. Considering that the American Heart Association suggests you only have 13 grams of saturated fat over an entire day, you can see the problem.
You don't have to cut all coconut oil out of your life, but you should use it sparingly and opt for other heart-healthy oils such as olive oil for cooking.
Artificial Sweeteners
These have long been seen as a boon to those who love sweet things but also want to watch their waistline, but it's become increasingly clear that artificial sweeteners may cause health problems for some people. Some people have complained of headaches, upset stomachs, and even allergic reactions to some artificial sweeteners. Plus, there's some evidence to suggest that a diet filled with artificial sweet stuff results in more calories eaten throughout the day overall. If your goal is to cut calories, you may want to find another way to do it.
Do your research when it comes to "health" food fads. They may not always be what they're cracked up to be!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Bossier City, La.