5 Words to Avoid If You're Trying to Lose Weight
The health food industry is full of lies.
Yea, I said it (cue Rihanna). Lies on lies on lies.
Phrases like “diet”, “only 100 calories”, “low-carb”, “made with real fruit” and “all-natural” make my teeth cringe and my blood boil.
But why? Aren’t these the good terms to look for especially when you are trying to lose weight?
Hell to the NO.
All of these phrases are just a hoax. A hoax to get you, the consumer who thinks they know what healthy is, to buy their product. Yet, the only thing these products will do for a girl is leave her hangrier and more malnourished than when she started.
So that’s why I’m here; to give you the rookie advice you need from the wellness expert you can relate to because I've totally been there. I use to prey on those 100-calorie snack packs of crackers and those low-fat strawberry yogurts in hopes of dropping a few pounds. Then, things changed; drastically and for the better once I discovered real food and how to decipher a nutrition label.
“The health food industry is full of lies.”
I have clients that come to me all the time with different goals in mind; they want to eat healthier, increase their energy, improve digestion, and then some. But, without a doubt, the number one goal they all initially have is to lose weight. And without me by their side 24-7, that goal sometimes seems impossible.
So one of the first things I do for my wellness rookie babes is teach them how to read a nutrition label like a pro because they are a lot more misleading than you think. Labels have all sorts of information on them, but the very first thing you should look at are the buzzwords on the front of the package. To help you out with this, I've rounded up the top 5 “health” phrases that really aren’t healthy at all, especially if you are looking to lose a little weight.
1. Low-Fat
I’ve said it time and time again; fat is fuel. Our bodies, especially as women, thrive off of good fats. The right kind of fat will make our hair grow, keep our skin soft, regulate those whacky hormones, give us sustained energy, and even help us lose weight (say whaaaaat).
When you take the fat out of a product, it tastes horrible. So 9 times out of 10, a product that says “low-fat” will have a ton of added sugar in order to make it taste good. Sugar causes major havoc on our bodies and our waistlines by raising our insulin levels. These higher insulin levels promote storing excess energy from food into fat cells. A recipe for disaster.
2. All-Natural
The thing that gets me about this term is that it can literally be placed on anything. I could bake the gooey-est, chocolatey-est, most processed cake around, slap an “all-natural” sticker on the front and sell it at the store tomorrow. It’s not a regulated term by the FDA so an "all-natural" product could have sugar, trans fat, preservatives, and high sodium levels without batting an eyelash. It’s completely misleading, plain and simple.
3. Whole Grain
Research shows that a piece of “whole grain” or “whole wheat” bread will spike your blood sugar just as much as a can of soda. Our grains are not what they used to be. Grains today have a higher gluten content, are extremely processed, and contain fillers and sweeteners that are detrimental to your health. In the many years past, grains were consumed after they were sprouted, soaked and fermented, making them easier to digest by the human body along with a higher fiber and protein content than today’s product.
If you can’t find sprouted options, try some made with alternative flours like almond, coconut or plantain flour. I have a bomb-ass Gluten-Free Banana Bread that will satsify your digestive system and your waist-line.
Side note: Gluten is the protein that binds wheat products together. Studies show that 3 out of 4 people have a gluten sensitivity…it’s not just a fad people!
4. Gluten-Free
Wait, didn’t you just tell me to avoid gluten and now you’re telling me to avoid gluten-free? Yes, I did.
Gluten-free is a buzzword for companies that are capitalizing off of the new “gluten-free diet craze.” Some people think that gluten is what makes them gain weight and, in turn, avoiding it will help them lose weight. But, fair warning; this will have the opposite effect.
Typically, foods labeled “gluten-free” will have added refined oils, processed grains and added sugars with an ingredient list that’s a million miles long. Instead of buying gluten-free products, try opting for whole foods that are naturally gluten-free or making your own gluten-free snacks like this Peanut Butter Banana Bread (shameless plug #2...it really is THAT good, babes).
5. Low-Cal
“Low-calorie” or “low-cal” does not equal weight-loss! Ladies, I’m talking to you.
Think of calories like little balls of energy. When you breathe, think, walk, powerlift, or move a finger, your body needs energy. When people, and women in particular, stick to a low-calorie diet (think 12-1000 calories and under) our body goes into starvation mode. It latches onto those calories for dear life, not knowing when the next time it will get enough energy. That makes it hard as hell for our cells to metabolize and do their job like thinking, sleeping, moving, and even losing weight.
All these low-cal foods have “empty calories” that we can’t do anything with. It’s like having a hammer when you need a nail. We need these calories for energy, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in order to thrive as functioning human beings. Choose real food.
Choosing the right foods when all you want to do is lose a little wight is tough business. Hopefully this guide to the misleading phrases and buzzwords in the health industry will help you next time you are perusing the grocery store or trying to decide on a snack. And, as always, the sure-way to avoid all of these hidden nasties is to eat real food.
That, my babes, is some food for thought.
XO, Cass