Here are eight “health foods” you should actually stay away from.
1. Fruit Yogurt
Fruit yogurt has an insulin index number of 115 — meaning it raises insulin higher than cake or cookies, which score 82 and 92 respectively.
2. Diet Sodas and Energy Drinks
These typically use artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which may promote weight gain and has raised concerns in research regarding cancer risk, and sucralose, which may cause DNA damage and contribute to leaky gut.
3. Protein Bars
Many protein bars look like candy bars for good reason — they often contain added saturated fat and sugar, or artificial sweeteners.
4. Breakfast Cereal
Most breakfast cereals have a glycemic number higher than table sugar. Corn flakes, for example, score 83 compared to sugar’s 65.
5. Whole Milk
Whole milk is 55% fat, mostly saturated.
6. Skim Milk
Skim milk is 56% sugar once the fat is removed.
7. Granola
One cup of granola can contain 598 calories, 30 grams of fat, and 25 grams of sugar — all more than a Big Mac.
8. Fruit Juice
Research on unsweetened fruit juice reveals that it spikes blood sugar about the same as a Coke.
For good health, consider limiting these foods. For more tips on natural health, download the free eBook Health Secrets at peacediet.org.
About Dr. Terry Shintani, MD, JD, MPH
Dr. Terry Shintani is a Harvard-trained physician and nutritionist, named a Living Treasure of Hawai’i and recipient of the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Award for Excellence. He is the creator of the Peace Diet and the landmark Waianae Diet — published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and cited over 137 times — and the author of 16 books on natural health and nutrition, drawing on more than 35 years of clinical practice in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Learn more about Dr. Shintani’s work and recognition: NLM Native Voices
Sources:
- NIH/PubMed — Insulin Index of Common Foods
- NIH/PubMed — Artificial Sweeteners and Metabolic Health
- NIH/PubMed — Fruit Juice Consumption and Postprandial Glycemic Response