A new year often means people are setting new health goals and hitting the grocery store with those goals in mind. This means that it’s super important to pay attention to your food’s ingredients list.
Oftentimes, people go to the grocery store and get the same things or try a new item without taking a good look at the ingredients list. However, since we live in a society that is super reliant on processed, pre-packaged foods, it’s always a good idea to take a look at what’s in them. Chances are, there’s likely a whole list of words and ingredients that you don’t recognize. We spoke with health experts about four ingredients you should avoid in the coming year to boost your metabolism and support your weight loss goals. Read more about them below.
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1. Artificial Dyes & Food Coloring
Food coloring might've been something that was super fun to play with as a kid, and can be great for holiday baking and special occasions, but other than that, health experts note that it's best to stay away from artificial dyes, as they're an unnatural ingredient that can cause some health issues when consumed frequently.
"The ones that are the most problematic are Yellow 5, Red 40, and Blue 1," says Dr. Wesley Buckle, N.D. "They may cause low-grade inflammation."
2. Sucralose & Other Artificial Sweeteners
Many of us are hooked on artificial sweeteners and might not even be aware of it. There are so many foods in the grocery store that are marketed as healthy, but contain artificial sweeteners like sucralose, which, over time, can have some adverse effects.
"Sweetness without calories sounds like a dream, but the body still has a reaction here," explains registered dietitian Angela Graham, MBA, RDN. "Some studies have found links with frequent use and changes in gut bacteria, which impact everything from the immune system to appetite, and blood sugar control. Frequent ingestion can also lead to craving sweets more often."
3. Hydrogenated Oils
Hydrogenated oils are vegetable oils that have been changed to become solid instead of liquid. Companies use them in foods like margarine, packaged pastries, coffee creamers, and some fried snacks to make them last longer and taste better. However, due to their trans fat content, it's best not to consume them too frequently.
"These contain trans fat, which, even in small amounts, interfere with how cells handle inflammation and cholesterol transport," says Graham. "This puts major stress on the body when consumed regularly and slows your metabolism down."
4. High-Fructose Corn Syrup
One of the most well-known ingredients that health experts have been warning people against for years is high-fructose corn syrup, which has been used as an accessible, affordable, and convenient sweetener in processed foods and beverages for years.
"This is present in a lot of packaged foods," says Buckle. "However, it can disrupt normal hunger cues and contribute to insulin resistance. Over time, this negatively impacts metabolic health."
