There are an incredible number of “health” drinks out on the market today. It is easy to get confused with all the misinformation out there about what is good for you and what is not. Packing and labeling can mislead us into thinking that it is a healthy choice when “natural” and “100% juice” is most likely not accurate. Awareness is your key to making the right choice when it comes to avoiding unhealthy beverages that can actually be hurting your health.
These two so-called “healthy” drinks could be packing as much sugar and calories as a can of soda. Once you are aware of the hidden dangers in false advertising, you will find it much easier to know which “healthy” drinks to stay far away from.
Cross These “Healthy” Drinks Off Your Grocery List
Fruit Juice
We know that you are probably thinking, “this cannot be right—I thought fruit was good for me?” The answer is yes, it is healthy when you eat two to three servings of whole fruit every day. Drinking fruit juice, on the other hand, is not your healthiest choice since it is almost always loaded with sugar. Fruit juice can contain the same amount of sugar and calories as a soda—and sometimes even more! Just because it is labeled 100% natural, or healthy, that does not mean that that juice does not contain chemicals to promote its shelf-life.
Removing the fiber from fruit allows sugar to more readily enter the bloodstream turning a healthy fruit into a powerful shot of glucose instead. Smoothies, where the fiber is blended along with the fruit, are better for you. Over time, vitamins found in fruit juice can deteriorate which means any benefits it once had are gone. Even orange juice may not be part of a healthy diet as we have been led to believe. You are better off adding some fresh fruit to your diet. Get started with these 7 healthy recipes full of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Flavored “Nutritional” Waters
Flavored waters, such as Vitaminwater can be just like drinking sugar water. Sure, they may deliver some extra vitamins, but all of that added sugar will do more harm than good. Some bottles contain 30 grams of sugar (7 teaspoons) or more! If you look closely at the boosting vitamins, you may be surprised to find out that they are not coming from anything that resembles food. Also, drinking regularly from plastic bottles made with BPA or PET can disrupt your hormone system and contribute to a host of hormone-related clinical issues including obesity and diabetes. Yikes.
Check the label for these plastics and to see if it contains anything other than water and natural flavors. If it does put it right back on the shelf. There is nothing better than drinking plain H2O. If you do not like water, we are here to help you start drinking more water to better your overall health with these tips!
Think twice before you sip one of these 2 “healthy” drinks—they are some of the most likely culprits that can trick you. Now that you know the hidden health dangers, it will be a whole lot easier to make the right choice the next time you go to the grocery store.
LEARN ABOUT OUR NUTRITIONAL PROGRAMS
While there are many nutritional programs out there, LifeScape vets out the science, technology and efficacy of each one before prescribing them to any patient. Our doctors and nutritionist may work with you on any number of customized programs for healthy diet, weight management, resolving dietary deficiencies or addressing inflammatory foods that may be leading to chronic conditions or illness.
Through a series of appointments, we will learn how to best help you with your nutrition and healthy eating goals. There are so many factors that influence how we eat in today’s busy world and we will do our best to help you find the healthy habits may work best for you.
Book Your Appointment Here Now!
References: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/02/misunderstanding-orange-juice-as-a-health-drink/283579/?utm_source=atlfb, http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/healthy-drinks/worst-drinks-your-body, http://www.health.com/food/sugary-drinks-bad-soda#hot-cocoa-sugar,
