A nutritionist shared with Business Insider three healthy foods she enjoys as delicious alternatives to ultra-processed foods.
Research suggests that about 20% of the calories Americans consume come from snacks, and 90% eat one to three snacks each day. Snacks are often ultra-processed, meaning they are made using methods and ingredients that you can’t easily recreate at home. UPFs have been linked to conditions including cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, anxiety, depression and sleep problems, leading experts to urge people to cut back as much as possible.
New York-based registered dietitian Tracy Lockwood Beckerman said UPFs are “convenient, cheap and super common” and that eating them occasionally is “inevitable.” But when it comes to satisfying cravings for ultra-processed foods, It is up to us as consumers to make informed choices about which ones we choose, she said.
Here are some of her favorite food swaps that help her avoid UPFs.
Granola bars
Store-bought granola bars are sometimes marketed as healthy, but often contain added sugar and preservatives.
Instead, Beckerman recommends Kate’s Real Food Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter. They are made from whole foods and contain fiber from dried fruit, oats, rice chips and flaxseed, which is important for digestion and gut health.
Registered dietitian Taylor Grasso previously told BI that granola bars tend to be mostly carbohydrates, so eating them with a protein source — such as Greek yogurt — can help stabilize blood sugar levels and keep you feel satisfied for longer.
Chocolate bars
Beckerman likes Nelly’s organic chocolates because they have a short list of ingredients, meaning they contain fewer additives than ultra-processed chocolates.
They also contain potassium, which can help prevent high blood pressure, she said. That’s because it can reduce the effects of sodium, according to the American Heart Association.
Candy
Justin’s chocolate chip cookies “reign” over other desserts, Beckerman said.
“Because these chocolate candy bars are made from peanuts, they contain heart-healthy fats, making them a truly satisfying and filling treat, unlike most other chocolate treats out there,” she said.
The candy bars are made with dark chocolate, which contains antioxidants that can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
#Healthy #Foods #Dietitians #Eat #UltraProcessed #Foods
Image Source : www.businessinsider.com