Want to eat healthier next year? Hereâs what registered dietitians would like to see us eat less of in 2018.
- Diet soda - The artificial sweeteners in diet sodas may be linked to reduced sensitivity to sweets and could lead to more cravings for them.
- Artificially-colored foods - Some of the beautiful, colorful foods that went viral this year have artificial colors in them, like FD&C Yellow Number five which can trigger itching and hives in some people, according to the FDA. Colorful food is healthy, but it needs to be naturally colored.
- Veggie chips - Registered dietitian Keri Glassman warns that a lot of these veggie snacks we think are healthier than potato chips still contain potatoes, so theyâre not that much better for us.
- Acai Bowls - Acai berries are full of antioxidants, but the bowls are usually made with sweeteners like agave and honey and topped with granola, so the bowls have too much sugar and not enough healthy fats and protein to keep you full for long.
- "Lightâ ice creams - Frozen desserts made with less sugar and more protein can also have artificial sweeteners like erythritol [[IRR-rith-ri-tol]], which can leave you bloated because theyâre harder to fully digest.
- Protein-enhanced foods - Adding protein to foods like pancake mixes and cereal doesnât make them healthier, Glassman explains.
- Seasonal coffee drinks - We love our limited-edition lattes, but theyâre loaded with sugary syrups and they can contribute to an energy crash later.
- Pressed juices - When you juice the fruits and veggies, youâre taking a lot of the necessary dietary fiber, so eating the produce whole instead of drinking it is more filling and satisfying.
- Cauliflower pizza crust - They can be made with added ingredients like mozzarella cheese or different kinds of flour, so unless you canât eat gluten or just really like the taste, thereâs not much reason to swap a regular pizza crust for this one.
Source: Delish