Life
7 Foods That Nutritionists Would NEVER Eat (Even If They Are Kind Of Delicious Sometimes)
No one is perfect when it comes to healthy eating. There's nothing wrong with indulging in a chocolate cake or burger here and there, and even some of the healthiest eaters will treat themselves when that's what their body is craving. But what about nutritionists — what do health experts refuse to eat? When it comes to what you indulge in, some choices can be better than others — and if nutrition is something you're particularly interested in, then these choices are important to you, probably.
Most foods contain some sort of nutritional benefit, but the type foods you should be avoiding are those that not only provide no nutritional value, but are actually harmful to your health. To help you make the best choices when it comes to what you eat, we've consulted with various nutritionists to find out what the types of foods they always regard as a big no-no.
Margarine
“You’ll never catch me eating margarine,” says Claire Willis, Director of Culinary Nutritionists at MenuTrinfo. “The partially hydrogenated oils (a.k.a. artificial trans fats) in margarine have been linked to heart disease, so I like to choose heart-healthy olive oil, or even butter, which touts a better nutritional profile.”
Energy Drinks
“Some items I do not consume nor do I recommend clients have a lot of (if any at all) would be energy drinks,” says Bethany Wheeler, RD, LD. ”Energy drinks are technically supplements and are not regulated in the United States, which means there is no way of knowing what exactly are in them. Energy drinks tend to have an excessive amount of caffeine, which can have potentially life-threatening side effects.”
Artificial Sweeteners
“Artificial sweeteners can intensify “sweet cravings,” they’re highly addictive, and they can decrease the number of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract,” says Dr. Lori Shemek, Certified Nutritional Consultant.
American Cheese
“American cheese is high in sodium and artery-clogging saturated fat, and it also includes questionable additives such as preservatives and emulsifiers,” says nutritionist and chef Sophie Jaffe. “Swap American for Swiss cheese, which has about 80% less sodium and more calcium.”
Soda
“I wouldn’t drink soda, or any sugary drink for that matter,” says nutritionist Amanda Hayes Morgan. ”You’re better off drinking plenty of water and saving your calories for nutrient-dense foods. If you’re craving carbonation, try sparkling water with lime and lemon.”
High Fructose Corn Syrup
“High fructose corn syrup is ultra-refined, mostly GMO, and has been linked to obesity, heart disease and insulin resistance,” says holistic nutritionist Mareya Ibrahim. “It shows up in a lot of syrups, sauces and beverages, so take a double look at those labels when evaluating choices.”
Image: quoimedia/Flickr
White Bread
“White bread lacks any type of nutritional density at all,” says Emily Cope, MS, RDN. “With over 25+ ingredients, this simple lunch staple provides nothing but empty calories and processed ingredients. Eating two slices of white bread will send your blood sugar levels through the roof before crashing down again.”
