7 healthy food items that are potentially the most harmful for you

Are you one of the unlucky ones who's eating healthfully and working out but still not losing weight? You are not the only one! At some point in our lives, we've all been through a phase where no matter what we do shedding those kilos just seems like an insurmountable task. While many factors could be the reason for you not losing weight, the food that you are eating is usually the culprit!

Unfortunately, there is a high chance that you have been hoodwinked and the food items you are eating are in fact not healthy at all! Here are 7 'health foods' that may not be as nutritious as you thought.

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Also Read: 6 benefits of eating raw garlic on an empty stomach first thing the morning

1) Multi-grain bread

The terms 'multigrain', 'whole wheat' or '7 grain' are very misleading. More often than not, bread with these labels contains refined grains, which do not have the same fibre content as whole grains and can cause blood sugar to rise quickly after eating. This leads to cravings, so be sure to check ingredient lists very carefully while shopping.

2) Fruit juices

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If you think fruit juices are the perfect alternative to sugary sodas or other packaged drinks you are wrong! Even if what you are having is 100% fruit juice that you may have squeezed out at your home. Yes, there are positives to drinking fruit juices but when you juice out any fruit, you are eliminating wholesome parts of it like the skin and the pulp and what remains is fructose.

3) Protein bars

The majority of protein bars are essentially candy bars with added protein. You would be shocked to know, one measly protein bar can have as much as 400 calories and an absurdly high sugar content. So read the ingredients list and nutrition statistics on the bar to determine what you're truly putting into your body rather than letting the packaging deceive you.

4) Flavoured yoghurt

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While yoghurt is a healthy snack option, but not an artificially flavoured one. As flavoured and 'fruit at the bottom' yoghurt contains an unexpected quantity of sugar, even in a small serving. Always opt for an unsweetened yoghurt and top it up with fresh fruit for a bit of natural sweetness.

5) Granola

Whether you're snacking on a granola bar or adding it to your yoghurt, you'd be surprised to know the majority of granola products are loaded with fat and sugar. While they may begin with nutritious components such as rolled oats, almonds, seeds, and dried fruits, manufacturers take those ingredients and bake them in oil after coating them in some sort of sweetener like honey, molasses, sugar, or corn syrup.

6) Sports drinks

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While some athletes do require sports drinks to replace lost nutrients during intense exercise, most people who engage in moderate exercise or just their regular daily activities don't require sports drinks to stay hydrated despite what companies are advertising. It is best to skip energy or sports drinks because they usually contain high concentrations of artificial colouring, added sugar, and stimulants like caffeine.

Also Read: 3 drinks you enjoy that can lead to fatty liver, expert warns

7) Instant oats

You would think surely oatmeal is a healthy meal choice with no downsides. Right? Well not particularly. While yes, it is a whole grain and a nutritious grab-and-go breakfast option, flavoured packets contain more sugar and sodium compared to regular rolled or steel-cut oats. So ditch the packet ones and cook it on your own. Making oatmeal is exceptionally easy and can easily be topped with other nutritious sides such as berries, flax, and nuts.

If you are trying to lose weight or simply aiming to eat healthy be sure not to fall prey to the advertising and marketing gimmicks of food corporations. A lot of the food items that are promoted to be 'healthy' have a lot of added sugar and other components that are not only bad for your body but will completely derail your weight loss journey. Be very careful what you are putting in your body by doing thorough research of all the ingredients in your food items.

Also Read: 7 healthy breakfast items to enjoy with your morning coffee

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