Misinformation regarding “healthy” food options is viral; spreading to every nook and cranny. Our kitchens and cupboards are chock-full of treats and snacks that we bought because someone told us they were the “healthier option.” But how do you know? Our knowledge as consumers is largely gleaned from advertising that is driven by the product manufacturers and parties with vested interests. I often have clients telling me they “are super-healthy eaters” and upon analysis of their food journals I see they have been duped like so many others. Here are some food options that are commonly considered “healthy” that you need to rethink.
Bananas
What? I know. Bananas are manna from heaven. They are sweetness and love all rolled into a convenient little peelable wrapper. So many primates can’t be wrong, right? Here is the problem. Bananas have a very high glycemic index. According to Harvard Health Publications, bananas have a glycemic index of 62, and a shortbread cookie is at 64! The glycemic index is indicative of the speed at which sugars hit your bloodstream. Sugars speeding through your blood stream at any accelerated pace is never good. Think obesity, pancreatic fatigue, insulin resistance, and diabetes – low glycemic index good, high glycemic bad.
The Issue: Sugar content, glycemic index.
The Fix: Eat bananas with food that has good fat and protein, like cashew butter, or blend it into a smoothie with a high-fiber food such as spinach. These efforts will slow that little yellow sugar bomb from hitting your bloodstream too quickly.
Source: Fix.com Blog