Did you know that many so-called "health foods" can actually be detrimental to your health? Certain foods that are marketed as healthy contribute to inflammation in the body and disrupt your health without you realizing it. We call these ‘false health foods’ because they do little to aid your health and there is such a strong misconception around many of them.

What are false “health foodS”?

False health foods are foods that are marketed as being good for your health when in reality they are anything but. These foods are often touted as being low in fat, sugar and calories, and high in nutrients like vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Some examples of false health foods include:

• Granola and energy bars: Granola and energy bars are marketed as a healthy snack, but they are often high in sugar and processed ingredients.

• Low-fat yogurt: Low-fat yogurt is often loaded with sugar to make up for the lack of fat.

• Low-sugar cereal: Low sugar cereals are often highly processes and full of unhealty ingredients.

• Flavored water: Flavored water may seem like a healthy alternative to soda, but many brands are loaded with sugar or artificial sweeteners.

• Smoothies: Smoothies are often loaded with sugar in the form of sweetened yogurt or milk alternatives.

While these foods may seem like a healthy choice, they can actually be detrimental to your health.

How do false “health foods” cause inflammation?

There are several ways in which false health foods can cause inflammation in the body:

• Sugar Content: Many false health foods are marketed as being low in sugar, but they can actually be loaded with hidden sugars. Excessive sugar consumption can lead to inflammation in the body, which can contribute to a range of health problems.

• Processed Ingredients: False health foods often contain processed ingredients like artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colors. These ingredients can trigger an inflammatory response in the body.

• High in omega-6 fatty acids: Many false health foods are high in omega-6s, which can contribute to chronic inflammation. Omega-6 fatty acids are essential fats that the body needs, but excessive consumption can be detrimental to your health.

How to avoid false “health foods" that cause inflammation

• Read Labels: Always read the label before buying ‘health foods’. Look for ingredients like added sugars, artificial sweeteners and processed ingredients.

• Make Your Own Snacks: Instead of buying granola bars and energy bars, make your own at home using whole food ingredients like oats, nuts and dried fruit. Making your smoothies at home using fresh low sugar ingredients. When you control what goes into your body, you have a much better chance at avoiding excess sugar and processed ingredients.

• Choose Whole Foods: Instead of buying processed ‘health food’, choose whole foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. These foods are naturally low in sugar and free from processed ingredients. Specific foods that have super powers to combat inflammation include:

  • Leafy green vegetables, such as spinach and kale

  • Fresh berries, such as blueberries and strawberries

  • Nuts, such as almonds and walnuts

  • Fatty fish, such as salmon and sardines

  • Turmeric, a spice with anti-inflammatory properties

In conclusion, false health foods are not as healthy as they are marketed to be and can cause inflammation in the body. To avoid consuming these false health foods, it is important to read labels, make your own snacks using whole food ingredients, and choose whole foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Incorporating superfoods like leafy green vegetables, fresh berries, nuts, fatty fish, and turmeric into your diet can also help combat inflammation.

At Hammett Integrative Health, we understand the importance of a healthy diet and offer nutritional counseling and support to help you make informed choices about your health. Our team of healthcare professionals can work with you to create a customized plan to achieve optimal health and wellness. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your health goals.

By incorporating these whole foods into your diet and avoiding the most common ‘false health foods’ , you can help reduce inflammation in the body and improve your overall health.