Dr. Oz 5 Grocery Items that should never...

mmrose00
mmrose00 Posts: 253 Member
edited September 20 in Health and Weight Loss
Here are 5 grocery items that should never make it through the checkout line. According to Dr. Oz - On today's show!



1. Simple Sugars or Carbs and Unhealthy Fats

Skip foods laden with simple sugars, also called simple carbohydrates. Sugary breakfast cereals, donuts, pastries, cookies, ice cream, cakes and soda are loaded with them. Often referred to as “empty calories,” simple sugars are rapidly absorbed, spiking blood sugar levels for an initial energy high. This triggers an insulin reaction, driving levels back down and creating fatigue. You’ll feel hungrier and crave even more sugar. Plus those rapidly absorbed extra calories are stored as fat, putting you at risk for obesity.



Make smart choices by selecting fiber-rich complex carbohydrates, including 100% whole grain bread, brown rice or steel-cut oats. Select whole foods such as fresh vegetables and lean meats. These all provide slow, sustained releases of energy for long-lasting fuel. If you do crave something sweet, head for the produce aisle and pick out your favorite seasonal fruits such as pears, apples, or blueberries.



Processed sweets and goodies also contain saturated and trans fats that clog arteries and stunt weight loss. Instead purchase items rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, like avocados and nuts.



2. Meats High in Nitrates and Saturated Fats

Processed meats such as cold cuts, bacon, sausages and hot dogs contain nitrates, chemical additives that preserve freshness. Nitrates have been linked to stomach cancer and other degenerative diseases. These fatty meat products are also full of unhealthy saturated fat that can raise levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol, a risk factor for heart disease and strokes.



Ditch preserved meats altogether or look for ones that are advertised as “nitrate-free.” Buy meats low in saturated fats such as chicken and turkey or eat more fish, like salmon or tilapia, rich in healthy omega-3 fats. If you must have red meat, choose lean cuts like sirloin or tenderloin.

3. Ingredients You Can’t Pronounce

Does ferrous sulfate, thiamine mononitrate or partially hydrogenated soybean oil sound appetizing to you? Follow this rule of thumb: if a food product is made of stuff you need a course in chemistry to comprehend – or —if you can’t pronounce the first 5 ingredients, don’t let it near your cart.



Stay focused on buying whole foods comprised of only 1 ingredient. Instead of snacking on neon-orange cheese curls, slice up some carrots or celery sticks. Invest in an air popper and enjoy fiber-rich popcorn. Make homemade veggie chips: cut up kale, thinly slice beets, sweet potatoes or yams, sprinkle them with herbs and a little olive oil and bake in the oven.


4. Fake Health Foods

Fake health foods are those deceptive foods, billing themselves as “low in fat”, like certain cookies, salad dressings or yogurt brands. Look closely at their labels. To make up for flavor, these items are inevitably high in sugar or salt. Other tricky foods include packaged breads and crackers with labels stating “contains whole grains.” This often translates into considerably less fiber than 100% whole grain products.



Again, choose real foods as much as possible. If it’s a sweet tooth you need to satisfy, buy tasty dried fruits, such as apricots or mangos.



5. Canned Foods High in Sodium

Eighty percent of our sodium intake comes from processed and canned foods. In fact, many canned foods are so chockfull of salt, they contain half or more of your daily recommended intake. A diet high in sodium is dangerous since it can lead to high blood pressure.

Instead of buying canned soups, try making your own simple versions, like a healthy cream of carrot soup or hearty lentil. If you don’t have the time to cook, purchase canned soups low in sodium.


To lower your overall sodium intake, try seasoning foods with more herbs, both dried and fresh. You’ll rely less on table salt for flavor.

Replies

  • Thank you for this post!!
  • tammietifanie
    tammietifanie Posts: 1,496 Member
    I watch Dr oz every day and it comes on 5pm my time so i'll be watching it then... I like to watch him when i work out he gives wonderful information
  • chefcc
    chefcc Posts: 143
    Great post. Thank you!
  • Ohh I saw this episode too! It was great info. I felt really bad for the first girl that came up in the shopping advice segment with the dietician. I thought the dietician was overly rude towards her. But Dr. Oz is nice.
  • Sounds like clean eating to me :):happy:
  • Thanks for the post! Great info!!
  • chicynth
    chicynth Posts: 48 Member
    Thanks for the info, and for taking the time to post it.
  • ittybittybadonkadonk
    ittybittybadonkadonk Posts: 11,634 Member
    :bigsmile: great info thanks for posting :bigsmile:
  • mmrose00
    mmrose00 Posts: 253 Member
    No Problem... Glad it was helpful for you as well as it was for me!

    Have a great weekend!!
  • emilyfh
    emilyfh Posts: 291 Member
    thanks for the post
  • 1Sweets
    1Sweets Posts: 395
    Bump
  • leeslim4life
    leeslim4life Posts: 371 Member
    This was great info & just in time before I went food shopping!!
    Thank you!:heart:
  • drvvork
    drvvork Posts: 1,162
    Bump:flowerforyou:
  • emarcia28
    emarcia28 Posts: 140 Member
    nice!! thanks:flowerforyou:
  • PinguimPraiero
    PinguimPraiero Posts: 48 Member
    Nice post!

    Riding your coattails here with a little tidbit I picked up somewhere on the internet . . . .

    THE FIVE DEADLY WHITES:
    salt
    white sugar
    white flour
    white rice
    refined oils

    These match up nicely with the Dr. Oz list, too! 'cept rice. I guess it is there because white rice is refined, too.
  • exez
    exez Posts: 2 Member
    Big fan of doctor OZ. A couple weeks ago he had a good show on about fish, limit it to one day a week because of the high mercury content. Large fish like tuna tend to have a higher content.
  • ksnowras
    ksnowras Posts: 29 Member
    bump:happy:
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