Don’t Get Fooled By These 6 Fake Healthy Foods That Steal Your Mind

6 FAKE HEALTH FOODS

1. Pre-Made Fruit Smoothies

What could be better than a refreshing fruit smoothie? If you’re buying a packaged variety off the store shelf, it could be hiding harmful ingredients.

Check the nutrition labels of these pre-blended beverages and depending on the brand, you may find upwards of 50 grams of sugar, no fiber, and only a skimpy amount of protein. These are like a straight shot of sugar into your bloodstream, which can lead to feelings of anxiousness or irritability.

Brain healthy swap: If you can’t make your own smoothie, opt for one that has whole ingredients for higher fiber content, low sugar, and higher protein levels.

2. Veggie Chips

Looking for a healthy crunch? Veggie chips made from spinach, tomatoes, and other garden-fresh fare seems like a perfect solution. Not so fast!

Most of these “veggie” chips are filled with potato starch, harmful oils, sodium, and sugar. Just as bad as what’s in these snacks is what isn’t—fiber. Eating a diet of low-fiber foods that are high in sugar is a recipe for diabetes, a condition that is associated with increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety disorders, and clinical depression.

Brain healthy swap: Crunch on real veggies—chopped carrots or cucumbers, for example—and dip in hummus.

3. Gluten-Free Muffins

Didn’t we learn anything from the fat-free craze of the ’80s? In order to tempt shoppers to buy products that aren’t healthy, food manufacturers add flashy catch-phrases like “gluten-free” on their packaging.

This doesn’t mean these food-like substances contain anything nutritious. Gluten-free fare like muffins, cookies, or pancake mix can be bursting with sugar, bad-for-you oils, artificial dyes, and preservatives. Artificial dyes have been associated with hyperactivity in some children and adults and may worsen symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Brain healthy swap: Take charge of what goes into your body by making it yourself. For a delicious and brain-approved breakfast treat, try Tana Amen’s Grainless Blueberry Muffins.

4. Peanut Butter

Yes, nut butters can be a great snack that provides healthy fats and protein. But some peanut butters are chock full of cheap and unhealthy oils, sugar, corn syrup solids, soy protein, and preservatives. Plus, peanuts are a common allergen that can trigger inflammation, and inflammation is associated with a host of psychiatric issues such as depression.

Research in the Journal of Food Protection shows that America’s favorite nuts (which are actually legumes rather than nuts) may contain harmful substances, such as aflatoxins. These are a form of mycotoxins, which can contribute to mental and cognitive health symptoms.

Brain healthy swap: Try organic almond, cashew, or macadamia nut butter instead of peanut butter. And make sure your nut butter has no more than 2 ingredients—nuts and salt.

5. Instant Oatmeal

Oatmeal is well-known as a good source of fiber, and it contains important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. But the instant variety doesn’t have as much of these good-for-you nutrients. It also has lower amounts of iron and protein.

In addition, instant oats are often flavored with loads of added sugars, sodium, artificial flavors, and milk powders. And the quick-cooking stuff ranks high on the glycemic index, which means it causes blood sugar levels to spike then crash.

A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that high-glycemic, low-fiber foods also increase the risk of depression.

Brain healthy swap: Once a week, make a pot of steel-cut oats or slow-cooking rolled oats. Then just grab a small bowl that you can quickly heat up when you want them. Add fresh fruit, raw nuts, and brain healthy spices like cinnamon for a well-rounded meal.

6. Ready-Made Salads

If you’re looking for a quick meal with lots of fresh veggies, look elsewhere. Most of the salad-in-a-bag options may have a decent base of greens, but those little packets included can be where the trouble lies.

They may contain corn (a potential allergen for many people), sweetened cranberries (hello, sugar!), toasted croutons (gluten galore), and dressing (unhealthy vegetable oils, sugar, and sodium).

Potential allergens—such as corn, soy, MSG, dairy, artificial sweeteners, and gluten—may result in brain inflammation that is associated with a host of mental health issues, such as brain fog, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder symptoms, ADD/ADHD, autism symptoms, and more.

Brain healthy swap: Take a couple extra minutes in the morning and make your own salad to go. Toss in fresh chopped veggies and mix up a simple dressing with extra virgin olive oil and vinegar.

EAT RIGHT TO FEEL RIGHT

When it comes to your mental well-being, the food you put on the end of your fork or spoon has a major impact on how you feel. Eating pre-packaged or store-bought items that have a “health halo”—meaning they seem nutritious—can backfire and contribute to brain fog, low moods, high anxiety, concentration problems, and more.

Always read nutrition labels so you understand what you’re putting into your body. As much as possible, stick to whole foods to fuel your brain and improve your mental health. Eating right can be a powerful part of a mental health treatment plan to help enhance moods, calm anxiety, and think more clearly.