Top 7 most
overrated health foods
Overrated health food 1: Acai
berry juice
Health magazines rave over it and celebrities apparently swear by it, so
should you be drinking acai berry juice too? Well, research suggests
that this self-proclaimed “superberry” may not quite live up to its hype.
Although the berry itself is nutritious, it is difficult to get hold of in its
fresh form. Furthermore, studies suggest that the juice only has average health
benefits when compared to that of other fruits. In fact, acai berry juice
was found to be lower in antioxidants than pomegranates, blueberries and red
wine – which are also much cheaper alternatives.
Overrated health food 2: Goji berries
All berries are rich in powerful antioxidants that are thought to help
prevent cancer, slow down ageing and ward off other nasty illnesses. However,
little research has been done to prove that the much publicized – and expensive
– goji berry is better than any other berry for maintaining good health. In
fact, the humble, relatively inexpensive blackcurrant could actually be your
best choice. According to research carried out at the Scottish Crop
Research Institute, which examined the nutrients and antioxidants in various
types of fruit, blackcurrants may be the healthiest fruit of all.
Overrated health food 3: Yoghurt
Many people think of yoghurt as the ultimate health food. However, while
it is a good natural source of calcium and other nutrients, many flavored
yoghurts (including those that “contain real fruit”) are high in added sugars,
making them not much healthier than any other sugary treat. Furthermore, while
yoghurt can be rich in probiotics, many people have trouble digesting dairy,
which can cancel out these benefits. For a healthy choice, opt for low fat,
unsweetened yoghurt (try goat’s milk yoghurt if you have trouble digesting
cow’s milk) and add your own fruit for sweetness.
Overrated health food 4: Smoothies
Smoothies have become a buzzword in health and fitness in recent years,
with many people opting to start their day or kill between-meal cravings with a
fruit smoothie. However, while they can be a good substitute for other sweet
snacks when prepared correctly, the health benefits of smoothies in general may
have been blown out of proportion, as many smoothies purchased in stores and at
smoothie bars are packed with syrups and refined sugars. Furthermore,
even natural sugars in smoothies can add hundreds of extra calories onto your
daily intake.
Overrated health food 5: Whole wheat
bread and pasta
With nutritional advice frequently advising us to up our intake of whole
grains, many of us plan our diets around whole grain carbohydrates such as
whole wheat pasta, bread and cereals. However, the health benefits of these
processed carbs are highly overrated. There is a vast difference between
unprocessed whole grains and refined wheat flour products, which are generally
lacking in vitamins and minerals. The closer a grain is to its natural state
the better it is for you, so swap pasta and bread for unprocessed whole grains
such as whole oats, barley, millet and wheat berries.
Overrated health food 6: Granola
Just as with whole wheat products, granola does offer some health
benefits, being quite rich in fiber and nutrients derived from the rolled oats,
nuts and seeds it contains. However, these nutrients and health benefits are
just as easily obtained from a bowl of porridge or muesli sprinkled with seeds
and nuts. By making this swap from granola, you will not only be cutting costs
but also cutting out the high quantities of sugar and oil generally used in
commercially available versions of this calorie-laden snack.
Overrated health food 7:
Vitamin-fortified drinks
With vitamin-fortified drinks you can boost your hydration levels, add
to your nutrient intake and enjoy a refreshing soft drink all at the same time
– perfect, right? Well, unfortunately not quite. Along with the vitamins and
minerals contained in these drinks, you will, in most cases, also be guzzling
down heaps of added sugar – often the equivalent of that contained in fizzy
drinks. Furthermore, the synthetic vitamins they contain do not compare with
those consumed in their natural form. Do your health a favour by swapping
vitamin drinks for water and fresh fruit instead.
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