Here’s some delicious and nutritious alternatives to some of the top items to skip at the grocery store. Some items are simply trashy foods that are disguised as health foods, so we’re here to let you know what to avoid.
Flavored Yogurts and Smoothies
Smoothies and fruity yogurts are really just sugar-laden versions of a dairy-based snack. Instead, you should look for Greek yogurts and beverages that have under 12 grams of sugar. These generally high-protein, low sugar snacks are great at keeping you satisfied without the sugar crash to follow.
Processed Snack Packs
These lunchbox meals may seem like a convenient idea that will save you time and energy, but the truth is that they are filled with saturated fats and a huge amount of sodium. Some of them contain up to 600mg of sodium, which is a whopping one-third of your daily value!
Partially-Hydrogenated Oils
Also known as trans-fats, these synthetic saturated fats are linked to raising the bad kind of cholesterol. These are most commonly found in foods like icing, butter substitutes, coffee creamer, and condiments.
Juice
There are a lot of concentrated sugars in the juice, even the ones that are “fresh squeezed” or “100% fruit juice.” These are a lot lower in nutritional value and fiber and higher in calories than whole fruit, so you’d be a lot better off eating fresh produce, which is chock-full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Dips and Salad Dressings
Most dressings use only one tablespoon as their serving size, which is a lot less than most people actually use on their salads. They can also be full of sugar, sodium, and saturated fats. Instead, top your salads with delicious marinated veggies, poached eggs, or avocado. These are heart-healthy fats that don’t contain the sodium that dressings do.
“Low-fat” Foods
The problem with low-fat foods is that food manufacturers will add a bunch of sugar to make up the flavor without the fat. Well, the sugar turns into fat in your body, so you haven’t gained any ground if you’re looking to lose weight.
