As a self-proclaimed health nut, I like to believe that no foods are truly off limits.
Everything in moderation, right?
Granola bars
Most granola bars are basically candy bars in disguise.
Those are much more nutrient-dense and filling options!"
If you’re free to’t live without your afternoon granola bar, try making your own.
Anything that comes in a box or wrapper has been processed and isn’t the best choice.
Aspartame is responsible for making diet soda taste sweet while containing no calories.
Yes, you read that right.
Drinking diet soda can still make you gain weight.
Orsoni recommended choosing fresh water or stevia-sweetened beverages.
However, certified dietitianGina Keatleyis not a fan of anything juiced.
“Juicing is generally very high in caloric value with a reduced fiber content.
Rather than getting your nutrients through a straw, Keatley recommended eating whole fruits and vegetables.
However, it’s best to avoid the entire soda family.
“Something I never have is soda or any sugar-sweetened beverages.
Moderation is not the best policy when it comes to this food.
The nutritionists and dietitians agreed.
“I never drink regular soda.
I don’t see any situation in which soda can be justified,” registered dietitianDanielle Cushingtold me.
Instead, Dr. Apovian recommended sticking with fresh water to quench your thirst.
“If you are accustomed to soda, try carbonated water with fresh fruit to wean yourself off.”
“There are three parts of a grain: the bran, germ, and endosperm.
“Removing the bran and germ also removes the dietary fiber, B vitamins, and iron from grains.
Refined grains include white bread, white rice, and most pastas.”
“This leads to constant feelings of hunger, frequent cravings, and eventually, weight gain.”
Dr. Barry Sears, author of the Zone Diet book series, agreed with staying away from refined grains.
“Most breakfast cereals are low in protein and high in sugar.
“Some foods I never eat include doughnuts, muffins, and brownies.
Monali Y. Desaitold me.
“A fried chip is a fried chip.
Don’t be fooled by the natural-looking fried veggie chips.
“Trans fats in particular are harmful to cardiovascular health,” explained Dr. Youdim.
Read your labels and do your homework.
Robin Evanstells her patients to stay away from foods that don’t actually look like natural food.
“If it doesn’t, it probably isn’t a real food choice,” she told me.
“Food should look as close to nature as possible for the healthiest choices.”
So when it comes to spam, it’s best to stay away.
“What exactly is it?”
“All nutritionists know that any product which needs to make a health claim is far from healthy.
If fat is removed, sugar is doubled.
If you’re craving a brownie, go for the real gooey, fudgy original.
“These drinks are far from healthy because they contain so much sugar.”
If you’ve become accustomed to your morning OJ, just look for some lighter alternatives.
“A good sports drink substitute is coconut water and a banana.
Eating the whole fruit will fill you up without spiking your blood sugar.
They should all be off the table for anyone looking to clean up their diet.
Basically, they’re chemicals in a pretty little packet,” naturopathic doctorDr.
“Try natural sugar alternatives like local raw organic honey or agave.”
Dr. Francis also recommended staying away from lunch meats and any packaged meat products.
“They may be labeled as ‘uncured’ or ‘nitrate-free.'”
Lisa Cohn, registered dietitian formiVIP Surgery Centers, also avoids the processed meats.
Candice Seti, Psy.D., told me.
“It also tricks your body into blocking leptin so you never feel full.
This combination allows you to eat and eat and eat,” Dr. Seti told me.
“That’s great for the food companies, but terrible for your heart and your waistline.
Opt for real sugar instead.”
These have been linked to cancer,“Steven J. Hausman, Ph.D., told me.
“Fake butter flavoring is imparted by diacetyl, which has been linked to lung disease when inhaled.
I much prefer popping my corn in a glass casserole placed in the microwave.
“There is no question that margarine is not a healthy food,” Dr. Hausman told me.
“It can be high in trans fats, which lead to heart disease and other health problems.
You are better off using monosaturated oils like olive oil or a small amount of butter.”
When I hear that ice cream truck jingle, I can’t help but get excited.
However, there are healthier options that still give you that satisfying, creamy bite.
“You still get that delicious, creamy consistency, but without the sugar and fat.”
They’re easy to order and everybody else is doing it, right?
But these mixed drinks are pure sugar,” Pedraza told me.
Maybe you’ll start a new trend among your friends!
What foods do healthy people eat?
“High iron vegetables are a must as it relates to health and wellness,” he told me.
The result is increased endurance capacity and a consistently balanced energy pattern.”
Dr. Goglia also recommended incorporating fatty fish like salmon into our diets.
“These fish choices are high fat species.
“The result is a deeper sleep, increased growth hormone release, and reduction of inflammation.”
“I eat everything!”
“There are no foods that are off-limits.
All foods have value, and yes, some are better choices than others.
Keatley recommended allowing yourself to enjoy the foods you love without going overboard.
Moderation is the name of the game.
Know which foods are worth the splurge for you, and enjoy them guilt-free once in awhile.
