Everyone knows it's important to be physically active, but most people tend to leave the nutrition component out of their healthy lifestyles. But what if you thought you were eating healthy? Well, the American Council on Exercise has recently posted a list of 5 foods that most people think are healthy...when they are in fact, not. Here is the list of the 5 foods of confusion and their healthier alternatives:
1. Low-fat Peanut Butter: When fat is removed from a product it always has to be replaced with something else. The replacement you ask? Usually sugar and salt to compensate for taste.
Healthy Alternative: Natural Peanut Butter. It has only one ingredient...peanuts. It also contains the healthy fat your body needs.
2. Multi-grain bread: Yup! Research has found that most of these breads are not 100% whole grain, and are in fact made from refined white flour (found in white bread) which can spike the blood sugar much like eating a candy bar.
Healthy Alternative: Make sure your bread is made from 100% whole grain or whole wheat flour. And make sure to avoid products with the words "enriched" or "refined" anywhere on the package.
3. Sea Salt: Believe it or not sea salt and table salt are almost identical nutritionally. So that means they have the same amount of sodium.
Healthy Alternative: Regardless of what you flavor your plate with, the key is to use it sparingly. Other healthy seasonings include herbs, spices, and citrus juices.
4. Fruit Juice: Yes, even 100% fruit juice is not as healthy as you think. There is usually always some form of sugar (fructose) added.
Healthy Alternative: Make your own juice or go straight to the source and eat the whole fruit.
5. Protein bars & shakes: Yes, they are convenient (I fall prey to them as well!), but have you ever read (or understood!) the ingredients? Most ingredients include a variety of words that the average human can not even pronounce. They also add lots of preservatives and sugar that are often hidden under more technical names.
Healthy Alternative: Opt for real food! Fresh fruits, nuts, cottage cheese, eggs, and 100% whole grain crackers are just a few.
The key to remember with any food is this; read the label. The less ingredients there are, the better.
