What is NOT part of a balanced diet?

Although there is some debate about the proportions and exact ingredients, there is a general consensus that certain foods are NOT part of a balanced diet.  Almost everyone knows the core culprits – candy, cakes and biscuits, fast foods, fried foods, meats high in saturated fats…..

BUT, we would like to point out a few items that may not strike everyone as obviously bad for you, but they WILL SABOTAGE YOUR DIET AND YOUR HEALTH OVER TIME:

-       Too much protein:  It damages your kidneys, makes your body too acidic, and trains your taste buds to crave sugar;

-       Aspartame and other ‘sugar substitutes’ – these actually cause your body to prepare in excitement for a dose of sugar – and when you don’t get it, your body actually craves sugar more, setting you up for failure later.  If you eat or drink something that tastes sweet but is low calories and sugar, then you are probably going to fall victim to this trick.

-       Protein bars: for the above reasons, you should basically think of these as candy.  Have one now and then when you truly can’t resist a candy bar.

-       Low fat ice cream or cookies: The problem is that you feel so good about resisting the full fat version that you often end up eating too much or buying something else indulgent later– more calories than if you just enjoyed a small full fat version! Same with low fat crackers or baked chips.

-       Gluten free, raw or sugar free – This by no means = healthy, low fat, good for you!  There are many high calorie, high fat and natural sugars which are great as an indulgent small treat once in a while – as long as you recognize them for what they are.

-       High protein bacon or cheeses – We have seen atkins people downing rashers of bacon and cheese while rejecting salads.  These foods are so full of saturated fats – they will clog your arteries.  And they contain hardly no fiber – making bowel movements difficult.

-       Java Juice and Jamba Juice – these juices are often made with sorbets which is basically pure sugar.  Even the fruit only ones typically have enough fruit and calories in them to feed a small army – again this is something for a rare treat, not a dieter’s best friend!

-       Frozen yoghurt – It’s ice cream really. Enough said.

-       Any coffee drink with frappe or chocolate sauce or anything other than coffee beans and milk – this is like a whole meal or two in a drink.  Pass it by!