5 Foods That Claim To Be All Natural But Aren’t

We have all seen the labels that say 100% all natural, and many buy them thinking that they are because well we trust labels right?  At the end of the day the food industry is a business, sometimes they do things that aren’t in our best interest and here are 5 foods they make us believe are healthy and all natural, but aren’t.

1. Granola Bars:  We have all bought those delicious organic, all natural granola bars thinking we were doing it right.  The problem is many of these granola bars contain artificial sweeteners and “natural” flavors.  Natural flavors is a cop out for flavors that are derived from natural sources…in a lab.
2. Yogurts:  They have the same problem as granola bars.  TONS of artificial sweeteners, “natural” flavors, and added sugars or sugar alcohols.  (sugar alcohols aren’t so great either)
3. Bottled Iced Tea:  Natural flavors, sugar and/or high fructose corn syrups should not be listed on the back of the label.  Green and black teas in there natural form are packed with antioxidants, but the benefits get smashed when they’re paired with sugar.
4. Salad Dressing: If it’s not home made, read the label.  Those long 10+ ingredient labels are proof that those “all natural” salad dressings really aren’t that natural.
5. Ice Cream:  We have seen so many new dairy free, gluten free, yady da, etc.  Ice creams pop up on the market advertising high protein, low calories, and no sugar, but they taste sweet.  Why?  They are packed with sugar alcohols (usually the ingredient that ends in “ol”)…which they are NOT natural.

Learn more about the best online fitness program which includes comprehensive programs focused on shifting towards healthier eating habits, staying fit, and building a better booty. You’ll also find a variety of fitness apparel to help get you that extra motivation to take your goals to another level. Contact me today to learn more about the best fitness programs available to get your body in gear.

7 Food Myths That Stop Your Diet From Being Healthy

Sometimes I seriously wonder where some of these health coaches get their facts, do they not stay up to date with the latest research?  I’ve heard some ridiculously false advice from people that actually keep them from having a healthier diet.

1. “Egg yolks are bad for you because they raise your cholesterol. So you should only eat the egg white.” Research now shows us that eggs have nothing to do with raising your LDL (bad) cholesterol.  Eggs whites are a great source of protein and egg YOLKS are a great source of zinc, iron, vitamin D, and choline.  Eat the WHOLE egg, unless you’re allergic, like me, then skip them.
2. “Everyone should eat gluten free.”  Unless your gluten intolerant there is no need because your body is able to digest gluten…it’s just another type of protein that some people just happen to be intolerant to.
3. “Nuts are bad for you because they are high in fat.”  Nuts are a great source of HEALTHY fats packed with nutrients.  Like with anything, too many nuts can be bad, however research has shown that eating proper servings of nuts can actually help protect you against heart disease.
4. “Carbohydrates make you fat.”  False.  Too much carbphydrates, just like too much protein, and too much fat, make you fat….aka caloric surplus.  Carbs give us energy, help our brains think, and feed our muscles.
5. “The label says low fat, so it has to be good for me.” Eat the whole fat.  With whole fat you can simply use the fat grams as part of your daily fat consumption assuming you do not over do it.  The problem with low fat is that they need to replace the fat, which is what add the good taste, with something else so that it is not bland.  What they end up using as a replacer is sugar!  Without knowing, you are consuming extra sugar that you may not have accounted for.
6. “Organic food is always healthy.”  Definitely not!  Especially deceiving when the organic label is placed on the packaging.  Read the ingredients!  Most of the time if it’s on a box you’re better off saving the money on the inorganic version because it’s the same exact thing.
7. “When eating out, always choose the salad.”  False.  Sometimes the salad can become the most calorically enriched plate because of the hidden sugars used to preserve the salad or the salad dressings.

Learn more about the best online fitness program which includes comprehensive programs focused on shifting towards healthier eating habits, staying fit, and building a better booty. You’ll also find a variety of fitness apparel to help get you that extra motivation to take your goals to another level. Contact me today to learn more about the best fitness programs available to get your body in gear.

4 Pieces Of Common Health Advice That Are False

Eat this, not that.  This is the magic potion.  Drop 10 pounds over night with this.  We’ve all heard it!  Here are the 4 most common health advice that I hear, that are actually false!

1. High Fat and Protein, Low Carb is the way to go
   • Actually, 45-65% of your daily requirements to feed your central nervous system, your brain, your body, and your muscles come from carbohydrate!  When you eat high protein, low carb, your body is forced to make carbohydrates out of proteins.  Your body HATES to do things that make it’s life harder, which I would agree with.  It does enough for us, like breathing without us having to think about it, why should we want to force it to work harder?  The problem with carbs is the same problem with fats and proteins.  Too much of ANY carbohydrate gets stored as fat.  The key is to eat just enough of each macro nutrient to hit your goals and keep your body happy!
2. Snacking is bad
   • We all know that crash between each meal that we get, or the lack of focus at work between lunch.  Well it’s our brain telling us it needs a little boost of energy (especially glucose).  Snacking between meals keeps us from feeling hangry, keeps us from over eating at lunch and dinner, and keeps our bodies energized!  The problem with snacking is the same problem with over eating carbs…too much is NOT good.  (see the pattern?)
3. Counting calories is how you lose weight, because a calories is a calorie.
   • Of all recommendations I hear non health professionals give to people seeking health advice its calorie counters I hate the most.
     • 1 gram of carbohydrates and protein yields 4 calories
     • 1 gram of fat yields 9 calories
     • 1 gram of alcohol yields 7 calories
   • So tell me again how all calories are the same?  Overall calories are incredibly important and I don’t discredit that.  However, it is what makes up those calories that is MOST important!  For example, an average adult consuming 2,000 kcal a day should consume
     • 1000 calories from carbs (250g)
     • 460 calories from protein (115g)
     • 540 calories from fat (60g)
4. Everyone should be on a gluten free diet:  This one is real quick….ready?  If you are not gluten intolerant….you do not have to specifically look for gluten free.

Learn more about the best online fitness program which includes comprehensive programs focused on shifting towards healthier eating habits, staying fit, and building a better booty. You’ll also find a variety of fitness apparel to help get you that extra motivation to take your goals to another level. Contact me today to learn more about the best fitness programs available to get your body in gear.

6 Supposedly Healthy Foods You Should Be Avoiding

The thing about the food and fitness industry is, marketing and advertising goes farther than science.  It’s a sad reality, and is one of the reason so many people are quick to fall for gimmicks, nutrition labeling etc.  Just today I went grocery shopping and was baffled at how the industry charges more or hides poison in their labeling.  Here were the top 6 offenders that stood out to me today.

1. Fit and Active brand popcorn versus the generic brand popcorn:  Fit and Active brand was almost a dollar more expensive and when you compare the labels…the EXACT same thing.  Just because something is labeled fit and active or something along those lines does not necessarily make it any better.
2. Sugar: A bunch of BS, and WORSE for you! Your brain gets the same stimulation only instead of being natural, it’s synthetic, can mess up insulin regulation, and most are metabolized in to carcinogens…cancer causing agents.  Go for REAL sugar, avoid the sugar alcohol.  Even in moderation, real sugar is better than fake.  Same goes for regular vs diet sodas
3. Arctic Zero Ice Cream:  People love it because it is low calorie, has minimal protein, but just like sugar free labels are ridded with sugar alcohols.  Limit sugar alcohols as much as possible (generally anything that ends in “ol” ie. sorbitol, erythritol, maltitol)
4. Low Fat anything:  Your body NEEDS healthy fats.  Low fat labels are usually a guise for companies to add sugars and MORE sugar alcohols in order to make the food tastier since removing fat makes food less appetizing. Whole fat is totally OK!
5. Organic Tostitos:  While the ingredients may be “cleaner” they have more sodium and do in my opinion more harm because people consume more of it thinking it’s healthier.
6. Organic Granola: uhmmmm 36g of sugar per serving and only 8g of protein? what?! READ your labels!! Ideally there will be no added sugar.

Learn more about the best online fitness program which includes comprehensive programs focused on shifting towards healthier eating habits, staying fit, and building a better booty. You’ll also find a variety of fitness apparel to help get you that extra motivation to take your goals to another level. Contact me today to learn more about the best fitness programs available to get your body in gear.