Your body is a temple, and the offerings you give it should be the best for your overall wellbeing. Too often, there are so many different opinions about food and diets that it’s hard to know just what we can eat and what’s the healthiest option for us. A lot of the things that we commonly consume in the effort to be healthier are pretty bad for our bodies, so before you go to the market and pick these up, check out why they aren’t the “healthy food” you may be thinking they are.
Gluten
Even if you actively avoid it, gluten is a component in so many of the things we consume often. It’s in bread, pizza, pasta, and cereal, among others (and they are all oh so tempting!), but there is now evidence that suggests it can be harmful to more than just those with celiac disease. A large portion of the population is gluten sensitive. Though the issue isn’t as bad as some would say, it just goes to show that a lot of our food contains unessential ingredients that can only do more harm than good.
What’s even more annoying is that this can give you a nasty rash or some incessant itching with your eyes. So, if you get those and often feel bloated, have stomach pain, and diarrhea, it’s a big possibility that you might be gluten sensitive or even have a what allergy. It’s not such a far-off shot either because around 20 million Americans have the same thing. The best thing to do is seek out alternatives when you eat, and this doesn’t mean you have to give up on those little snacks now and then, either. You can buy gluten-free cookies online now and even opt for quinoa pasta.
Sports drinks
Sports drinks were formulated especially for athletes and other individuals who need to replenish their electrolytes. Unless you are burning calories and sweating it out, this should not be a daily drink in your diet. It has a lot of sugar and sodium, which are not suitable for the body in excessive amounts.
Plus, this can distinctly affect your oral health and weight management. That’s because it’s supposed to supply the calories that stop you from fainting if you just finished an intense exercise session. That is one of those things that should only be consumed around once a week unless you need it. Too much will only make it counterproductive, and if you’re mostly a couch potato, these ill effects can become even more pronounced.
Agave
Agave nectar or syrup has been thrown around a lot as an amazing substitute for sugar, and while it does taste good, its health effects are worse than sugar. It has a higher fructose level, which can cause a lot of risk factors that outweigh the benefits that come with its other components. Most of the products that get to your cart are also heavily processed, essentially stripping it a lot of the good effects one would want in agave anyway. In the long run, agave can even increase your belly fat and give you fatty liver disease.
If you have any of these in your diet, it may be time to rethink your menu so that you can treat your body best.