Skip these food fads in favor
of nutritious kitchen staples
With new so-called “healthy”
LEFRAK CITY COURIER | WWW.QNS.COM | APRIL 2018 19
food trends popping
up all the time, it’s hard to
keep track of what’s actually good for
your health and what’s just a fad. Luckily,
new research continually shows
consumers which fads to ditch and
which kitchen staples stand the test of
time and should be kept in our diets.
For example, did you know that coconut
oil, a recent consumer favorite
in health and beauty circles, has been
found in a new study to actually increase
cholesterol?
If you’re looking for simple changes
that have a big impact on nutritional
health, consider clearing some unhealthy
eating habits from your diet.
Here are a few health fads that aren’t as
nutritious as you may have heard, and
helpful swaps that can benefi t your
health.
Out with the coconut, in
with the corn
Over the last few years, coconut oil
has gained prominence on grocery
store shelves, in the news and on social
media. Long considered a multipurpose
beauty oil, coconut oil began
to make its way into recipes, and consumers
hoped its health benefi ts extended
to the kitchen.
But a recent study found that coconut
oil increases cholesterol. Adding
corn oil to one’s diet, on the other
hand, was found to result in better
cholesterol levels. Similarly, a previous
study published in Th e Journal of
Clinical Lipidology found that corn oil
can help lower cholesterol two times
more than extra virgin olive oil. With a
high smoke point, versatile usage and
a neutral fl avor, corn oil makes a great
pantry staple.
Be wary of juice diets
and cleanses
While it’s important to include fruits
and vegetables in your diet, “cleansing”
your body with a diet limited to coldpressed
juices won’t provide enough
essential vitamins and minerals for a
healthy diet.
According to research by the National
Center for Complementary
and Integrative Health, there is no
real evidence that juice cleanses work.
Th e human body is great at keeping
the good stuff in and fi ltering out the
bad, and a varied diet is important for
maintaining energy throughout the
day.
Plus, according to Vive Nutrition,
juice diets tend to make people feel
hungrier and lead to overeating. If
cold-pressed juices are something you
enjoy, go ahead and have them -- but
in addition to your meals, not as a substitute.
Don’t be afraid to
indulge
Everything in moderation! Indulging
every once in a while is an important
part of a balanced diet. Overly
stringent dietary restrictions, especially
ones that cut out all the foods you
love, may lead to short-term results,
but aren’t sustainable in the long run,
according to research by the National
Center for Biotechnology Information.
Rather than cutting sugar completely,
avoid binges by allowing yourself
a treat every once in a while on a
cheat day to maintain balance in your
diet.
Ditch the granola bars
Packed with whole grains, granola
bars seem like the perfect healthy
snack, but many contain an unhealthy
amount of added sugar. In fact, in a
New York Times survey, fewer than
30 percent of nutritionists said they’d
call granola a healthy food. Replacing
granola bars with healthier options
like nuts will greatly benefit your
health. Th ey’re more fi lling and full of
omega-3 fatty acids, which are shown
to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
COURTESY BPT
Healthy Living
Juice cleanses may be all the rage these days, but eating a varied diet is key to optimal health.
Granola bars might seem like a healthy choice, but they’re often packed with sugar.