5 Things You Didnt Know Were Unhealthy

Health and wellness isn’t always as obvious as it may seem. You see the words fat free or gluten free, and you automatically think that the food is healthy for you. We’re constantly overwhelmed with new information on what you should be eating and what you should steer away from – the health facts are in the magazines we read, the commercials we see during our favorite TV program, the billboards that we pass on our way to work, and even on that pesky side internet bar that runs from adware.

Living a healthy lifestyle is not as easy as taking a Flintstone’s vitamin and doing a quick 20-minute workout. Moreover, labels have become more and more confusing – you almost need a dictionary to decipher the ingredients or a smartphone app to distinguish whether or not you’re getting enough vitamin D. We totally get it, friends. Adulting is hard. In effort to make life a little easier, we did some digging and debunked some of the stigmas associated with founds we assume are healthy. What we have found may surprise you and prompt a kitchen pantry and fridge overhaul.

With that said, please keep in mind, splurging for a sweet treat or a salty snack is okay from time-to-time. The problem is when we over indulge on foods frequently. Take that into consideration as you become more educated on things you didn’t know were unhealthy.

Diet Soda

Ads and infomercials have trained us to automatically think healthy, when we see the word ‘diet’ associated with anything; however, it’s quite the opposite. According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, one soda a day can increase a man’s risk for prostate cancer by 40 percent – in comparison to a man who never drinks a drop. Artificial sweeteners, in diet soda, trick your body into thinking you’re eating real food. But, the artificial sweetener actually causes a spike in insulin to regulate your levels and that can turn into stored fat. What many people do not realize, is that artificial sweeteners are actually much sweeter than actual sugar.

In addition, there is a ton of research that shows soda consumption increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. There is a very clear explanation as to why – soda makes you eat more and more. The artificial sugars cause you to never feel fully satisfied and encourage your body to want more food.

Flavored Oatmeal

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There is such a big misconception when it comes to oatmeal. The enlightening element, that many people do not realize, is that the oats used to make instant oatmeal, do not possess the enriched nutrients that other steel cut oats have. All in all, flavored, single serving packets of instant oatmeal have entirely too much sugar, thus, having was too many unnecessary calories.

If you’re an oatmeal fan, stick to the big tub of oatmeal because normally it does not have the added sugars that the tiny packets have. If convenience is the factor, then be proactive and measure out the servings, from the big container, into sandwich bags and have them on hand during the week. However, if you’re set back because of the flavor, try adding fruit or spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to appease your taste buds, without adding to your waistline. Incorporating steel cut oats is a great way to improve your energy, promote weight loss, and even lower your risk of heart disease. The nutritional benefits of steel oats are truly astounding and worth the extra dollars.

Bran

The word bran just sounds healthy, right? Perhaps it’s because it sounds bland and often times we associate blandness and lack of flavor with the idea of healthiness. Unfortunately, bran is just a bland word and actually doesn’t mean healthy. This calls for a “bran-duction.” Bran is actually the outer layer of grains like wheat, rice, and oats that offer a dose of fiber, protein, vitamins, and low-glycemic carbs – the good carbs. However, with all good things, you can overdo it. Bran muffins basically triple the portions you’re supposed to be eating and usually contain more wheat flour than bran itself.

Another thing to consider are store bought muffins. Even though they’re bran, they’re loaded with sodium and sugar. If you are a bran fan, try making your own muffins ahead of time. Creating goodies from your own kitchen will cut the ambiguity of what exactly is in what you’re eating and allow you to control your waistline.

Dried Fruit

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Again, you hear the word fruit and you think, “Of course, that’s a healthy option.” Bad news, friend, it’s not. Check the labels before you purchase dried fruit. Not only are the ingredients somewhat questionable, so are the serving sizes. Companies use sulfur dioxide to preserve the freshness and increase the shelf life; also, they add a ton of sugar to sweet the flavor – cranberries and pineapples have a scary amount of sugar added.

While dried fruit is a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, it’s super easy to overeat. The added sugar is similar to soda because it never truly satisfies your hunger and tells your brain that you need more food.

If you’re worried about overeating, just opt for the fresh alternative – fresh fruit. Grab an apple, banana, or pear and you’ll still get the fiber and nourishing vitamins that you need to eat on a daily basis. Try placing the fruits in a convenient place that is visible. You’re more likely to select the option, if it’s in your view.

Wraps

In my opinion, we have the Atkins diet to blame when it comes to associating wraps with healthy eating. If you watch daytime television, during their healthy eats segments, we almost always see the chef preparing a delicious sandwich on a wrap – and we’re told there are less calories. Well, here’s the thing, that’s only half of the time. A 12-inch wrap can actually carry twice the amount of calories as plain bread. The spinach, tomato or other “healthy” fixings, you put on the wrap, don’t weigh out the calories.

Here’s another wrap buster, pre-made wraps are uncontrollable. While they are packed with bacon, ham, and ranch dressing, the veggies are often omitted because the shelf life isn’t long enough; therefore, the nutrients you were getting from the wrap is now gone. While it’s incredibly time consuming, the best way to avoid getting “wrapped” into additional calories, is making the wrap yourself – and maybe even consider cutting it into half. Each half can be lunch for two days.

While these are just a few of the unhealthy myths floating around, they are definitely the most commonly misconstrued ones. Educating yourself on what’s healthy and what’s unhealthy can truly make all of the difference when you’re trying to lose weight or just wanting to live out a healthy lifestyle. It’s important to take care of your body and use extreme caution when eating because there are a lot of additives added to foods and eating them on a regular basis can cause you to gain weight or put you at risk for various health ailments. Even though the internet has a ton of information, and a lot of it is conflicting, it’s a great place to begin your research and view journals and studies that debunk what is healthy and unhealthy.