Some foods have obvious health benefits such as raw fruit and vegetables. Other foods are clearly unhealthy such as sweets and deep fried foods. However, not all foods are clearly one or the other. In fact, there are some foods that have conflicting opinions surrounding them. This post assesses five of those controversial polarising foods.
Smoothies
There are claims that smoothies can help you lose weight and also claims that they can encourage you to gain weight. Which is true? Well, technically both are true. It all depends on what you put in your smoothies. Fruit, nuts, seeds and vegetables are all ingredients that will guarantee a healthy smoothie. Ice cream, fruit juice, sugar and flavoured yoghurt are best used seldomly or avoided altogether. If you’re using a smoothie powder, make sure to do your research to select healthy options. Avoid premade smoothies that are full of added sugar.
Granola Bars
Granola bars are typically seen as a healthy snack. Unfortunately, many are loaded with added sugar and preservatives, which has led to claims that they are just as unhealthy as junk food. The truth of the matter is that some granola bars are less healthy than others. There are some very healthy granola bar options out there. Always check the sugar content on the packaging – a single granola bar should contain no more than 10 grams.
Yoghurt
Yoghurts and a great source of calcium, helping to give us healthy bones. They’re also a good source of probiotics, which are good for our gut. However, not all yoghurts are created equally. Some are very high in added sugar, which can cancel out some of the health benefits. You should therefore do your research to find options that are healthy. Generally speaking, stick to unflavoured yoghurts. You can check out a few healthy yoghurt options here.
Dark Chocolate
While it’s generally accepted that milk chocolate is unhealthy, there are conflicting opinions when it comes to dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients and antioxidants that may even lower your risk of heart disease. It generally also has a lot less sugar than milk chocolate, and a lot less calories due to not containing as much milk. Unfortunately, there are some dark chocolates out there that try to mask the bitter taste of dark chocolate with huge amounts of sugar, so you need to be cautious of which products you choose. Look for dark chocolate bars that have no more than 4 grams of sugar.
Plant-Based Meats
More of us are going vegetarian and vegan to save the planet and improve our diet. This typically involves switching to plant-based meats – but just how healthy are these meat substitutes? While most plant-based meats are healthier than the real thing, some are less healthy than others. Some contain high levels of saturated fat and salt. Fortunately, there are many healthy options out there that still taste just as good – these plant-based meats are a good option.
