Some unhealthy foods are more obvious than others. You likely wouldn’t stock up on potato chips, for example, while shopping for foods to help aid your weight loss. However, there are a few surprisingly inflammatory items that may make their way into your cart if you don’t know any better—and that’s because they’re advertised as being healthy! As it turns out, many “better-for-you” grocery items can actually take a toll on your health.
To discover some of the worst deceptively-labeled foods to avoid at all costs if you struggle with chronic bloating, we spoke to health experts David Culpepper, MD from LifeMD; Jesse Feder, a personal trainer and Registered Dietitian with Strength Warehouse USA, and nutritionist Mona Rasi. They pointed out three of the worst culprits.
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Whole Grain Products
If you see something labeled as "Made with Whole Grains," you might automatically think it's healthy. However, Dr. Culpepper and Rasi both warn that this isn't necessarily the case. "In fact, wheat can cause inflammation to many people, not just those with a pronounced gluten intolerance," Culpepper warns, nothing that "even for those who can tolerate gluten reasonably well, eating wheat can cause symptoms of inflammation such as bloating, gas, constipation, itchy skin, and fatigue." Yikes!
For this reason, whole wheat varieties can be just as bad for you as their processed wheat counterparts. Rasi agrees, adding that recent research shows "wheat in any form can play a role in triggering an inflammatory immune response in some people." So, instead of reaching for that whole grain bread, you may want to opt for gluten-free grains, such as amaranth, buckwheat, millet, quinoa.
Protein Bars
If you're on the go, a protein bar can be a fast, easy meal option to grab in a pinch. Unfortunately, though, these bars likely aren't as healthy as they're advertised to be. In fact, Feder says they can worsen issues like inflammation and bloating. He notes that while "most of the popular protein bars on the shelves do contain a good amount of protein in them," they have other ingredients thrown in that can wreak havoc on your body. "They're packed with sugar and sometimes high in fat," Feder warns. "The sugar, fat, sweeteners, and other additives, cause inflammation and sometimes an upset stomach." Say it ain't so!
If you're really looking to pack in protein, a better option is to choose whole foods over processed snacks like protein bars. While it may take some more work on your end to produce a filling, nutritious meal for yourself, your body will thank you for it in the end. Trust us!
Low-Fat Salad Dressings And Dairy Products
Rasi says you shouldn't be deceived by "low-fat" labels. She stresses that anything labeled as low-fat, especially dairy products, is likely "invasive, processed, and inflammatory." Uh-oh! "These originally healthy foods are particularly problematic because they have added sugars and other additives to make up for the reduced fat content," Rasi explains, citing low-fat yogurt, ice cream, and salad dressing as some of the worst culprits.
Instead of buying this seemingly "healthy" items, it's best to eat them in their original form. Rasi says you should "always opt for whole and full-fat dairy products as opposed to skimmed and low-fat versions." And if you really want to kick it up a notch, you can even whip up your own dressings and condiments in your kitchen—it's a sure-fire way to keep inflammatory additives out of your diet!
