The Top Nutrition Scams To Watch Out For

Healthy Shakes

Healthy shakes often come in a powdered form and are said to incorporate the necessary daily intake of nutrients from fruits, vegetable, nuts, and seeds. However, they are costly and unnecessary, as it is not difficult to get the proper nutrients needed for optimal health from real food. For example, in one powder there are four grams of fiber, which is less than an apple, and they are not a meal replacement as most powdered shakes are only about 150 calories per serving. Individuals should eat a minimum of three hundred calories per meal as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Individuals must always check the labels of any prepackaged smoothies or shakes, and ensure there are no more than fifteen grams of carbohydrates per serving, with one serving of fruit. There should be plenty of vegetables. For the healthiest smoothies or shakes, individuals should try making them at home rather than grabbing one on the go. The base of a smoothie should be water (as it is the healthiest option). Next, they should choose a serving of fruit. Berries are especially great as they are low in carbohydrates. Individuals may also want to pack a few nutrient dense veggies in there, such as spinach, and thicken the smoothie with avocado, plain Greek yogurt, or a banana.

Next, find out what bread may not be as healthy for the heart as we once believed.

Multigrain Bread

Bread is a staple in many households around the world. Rather than reaching for white bread, which is heavily bleached and full of added sugars, many of us believe we are making the 'healthiest' decision by eating multigrain bread. However, multigrain bread only indicates the loaf contains multiple grains, it never states the degree of refinement, which determines how truly healthy a loaf of bread is. The less refined, the better it is. Refined grains are heavily processed, and the bran, germ, fiber, vitamins, and mineral components of the bread have essentially been removed. This makes the bread a simple carbohydrate that will spike an individual's blood sugar and promote weight gain. The best bet is for individuals to look for loaves of bread with some type of whole grain, such as whole wheat, rye, or oats as the first ingredient. More than one whole grain is fantastic, but individuals should make sure these whole grains are the first ingredient so they are getting as much fiber and as many minerals and vitamins as possible.

Continue reading to uncover how healthy gluten-free snacks truly are.