Overeating sugary foods and consuming too much sugary drinks are one of the reasons for the obesity epidemic in the US. We all need a little sugar to indulge our taste buds. But, the danger arises when we get addicted to it and start consuming it in abundance. Then, we become susceptible to the health effects of sugar. Read on to know more about how overdosing on sugar can harm you.

Health Effects of Sugar

• It can lessen immunity and lower the body’s power to defend against infectious diseases.
• In children, sugar can cause crankiness, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, hyperactivity and raise adrenaline levels.
• It can cause chromium and copper deficiency.
• Overdosing on sugar raises the risk of many cancers such as cancer of the ovaries, gastric cancer, biliary tract cancer, colon cancer, gallbladder cancer, prostate cancer and endometrial cancer.
• It affects the absorption of magnesium, calcium and protein.
• Another unfortunate effect of sugar is it can reduce eyesight power and even cause myopia and cataracts.
• It can lead to premature aging, alcoholism, tooth decay and obesity.
• High sugar intake raises the risk of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
• It can also cause asthma, arthritis, gallstones and heart disease.
• Too much sugar can lead to varicose veins, constipation, piles, multiple sclerosis, appendicitis and osteoporosis.

More Health Effects of Sugar

• It can decrease insulin sensitivity.
• Sugar can raise cholesterol levels and systolic blood pressure.
• It can cause food allergies.
• Over-consumption of sugar is a leading cause of diabetes.
• Patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease have a tendency to consume more sugar.
• It can affect bowel movement and cause indigestion.
• The pancreas can get damaged due to high sugar intake.
• It can cause migraine headaches.
• Too much sugar intake can push you into depression and cause mental ailments like Alzheimer’s disease.
• It raises the risk of epileptic seizures, polio and high blood pressure.
• Sugar can increase your appetite and make your consume more food than required.
• It induces retention of water and salt.
• Sugar can lead to liver tumors.

Summary
We hope the long list of the health effects of sugar provided above will sufficiently caution you against getting addicted to this sweet substance. Do not cave in to your taste buds, but consume sugar in moderation to maintain good physical and mental health.

Herbs have been used since time immemorial to boost physical and mental health. Most of us love herbs for their sweet fragrance, healing power and their usefulness in yummy recipes. They can be used as efficient home remedies and to provide spice to the taste buds. Modern research has confirmed the many health benefits of herbs and their detoxification properties. Read on to learn more.

Health Benefits of Herbs

• Herbs are rich in nutrients like phyto-sterols, vitamins, essential oils and antioxidants that boost our immunity and fight off toxins and germs. In fact, herbs can be called medicines in small doses.
• The essential oils hosted by herbs have anti-inflammatory properties which help to treat problems like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis as well as ulcerative colitis.
• Herbs contain unique compounds that can help diabetics by reducing their blood sugar levels.
• Herbs like garlic contain thiosulfinates that help to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, and lower the risk of stokes and coronary artery disease.
• Turmeric is rich in curcumin which helps to prevent the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease in seniors.
• The antioxidants, vitamins and volatile oils in herbs help against colon, pancreatic and prostate cancers.
• Herbs are rich in ingredients which exhibit the following properties: stimulant, lipolytic (aids in weight loss by burning fat), antiseptic, digestive, deodorant, aphrodisiac, analgesic, diaphoretic, carminative and anti-spasmodic.

Tips to Enhance Benefits of Herbs

• Do not use just one or two herbs, but add a variety of them to your recipes.
• Experiment with different blends to enhance their taste and benefits.
• If you have the space, grow fresh herbs.
• Keep useful dried herbs handy at home.
• Listen to your taste buds and choose appropriate herbs.
• Herbs are very useful while cooking fats, as they enhance the flavor and protect the fats from oxidation.

Summary
We hope the numerous health benefits of herbs revealed in this article will motivate you to include more of these wondrous natural remedies in your recipes for dishes. Boost your health and indulge your taste buds too at the same time by using tasty and beneficial herbs every day.

Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and this nutrient has many health benefits. There are many brands of fish oil in the market and you should ask your doctor to recommend a high quality brand before buying fish oil. In this article, we reveal the many health benefits of fish oil which will definitely motivate you to include this nutritious supplement in your daily diet.

Health Benefits of Fish Oil

Eases Depression
Many scientists noticed that in countries where people eat fatty fish as a staple food, there were lower cases of depression. Research on this topic revealed that omega-3s stimulate the production of the happy chemical serotonin in the body. Today, fish oil supplement is used to prevent depression and as an antidepressant.

Lowers Cholesterol
The American Heart Association recommends using fish oil to reduce cholesterol levels. This supplement can thus benefit patients with cholesterol and coronary disease issues.

Reduces Triglyceride Levels
Another health benefit of fish oil is that it reduces blood triglyceride levels. This is a boon to HIV/AIDS patients who take antiretroviral medicines, which are known to raise triglycerides making them vulnerable to coronary blockages and disease. Thus, patients whose immunity is lowered by HIV/AIDS can benefit from fish oil.

Reduces Inflammation
Diseases such as psoriasis, lupus and thyroid inflammatory disease are known to cause body inflammation. Just three grams of fish oil every day can reduce this inflammation and ease symptoms.

Treats Joint Pain
Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis patients can benefit from fish oil as it relieves joint pain. In fact, research suggests that fish oil can be substituted for pharmaceutical medications to relieve pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. The best types of fish oil for rheumatoid arthritis patients are non-synthetic, pure supplements.

Gives a Glowing Skin
Fish oil contains essential fatty acids that boost skin health. Benefits of fish oil for skin condition include fewer wrinkles, reduced acne, increased hydration and regulation of oil production. Fish oil also reduces sun damage to the skin caused by over-exposure to the sun.

Helps to Lose Weight
Along with regular exercise and dieting, try taking fish oil supplements to burn fat and shed flab. Research has found that fish oil prevents fat accumulation in the body. A Japanese study on mice found that fish oil made their metabolisms work faster and reduced their weight gain.

Prevents Schizophrenia
Many research studies have been conducted on the efficacy of fish oil in preventing schizophrenia. In one study, only three percent of participants who took fish oil went on to develop schizophrenia, compared to 28% of those who took a placebo. This is a major benefit of fish oil for those suffering from mental illness because these supplements do not have any side effects, unlike antipsychotic medicines.

Helps You to Focus
Patients who have concentration issues like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can benefit from fish oil supplements which increase mental focus. Substantial improvements can be seen in concentration levels within six weeks of taking these supplements. Thus, children and adults with ADHD can benefit greatly by taking fish oil supplements regularly.

More Benefits of Fish Oil

• Treats post-partum depression
• Improves Vision
• Reduces muscle soreness caused by weight training
• Lowers the risk of heart disease
• Slows down the growth of breast tumors
• Gives relief from Colitis and Crohn’s disease
• Helps to relieve the impact of Alzheimer’s disease
• Helps to treat peptic ulcers by relieving stress, anxiety and depression
• Stabilizes mood
• Fish oil is great for dogs too as it improves their vision, brain function and trainability.

Summary
As this article reveals, there are considerable benefits of fish oil. So, include high-quality fish oil supplements in your daily diet starting today to reap these rich health benefits.

Coconut oil is a wholesome natural remedy for issues like belly ache, paper cut or dry skin. It is readily available and very affordable too. In this article, we reveal the various benefits of coconut oil.

Skin Care
Coconut oil can make your skin glow as if you have just finished a yoga session. It is a great moisturizer for aging and dry skin. The fat in coconut oil treats wrinkles without irritation. This oil can also treat skin issues like eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis. In fact, coconut oil is extensively used in skin care products because it removes toxins from the skin.

Stress Relief
During a typical day, we are exposed to many stressful situations like air pollution, traffic gridlock, workplace pressures etc. To get relief from constant stress, massage coconut oil on the head in circular motions. Coconut oil has a natural aroma which can soothe you and lower the stress level.

Digestion
Coconut oil has anti-bacterial properties which help to combat fungi and parasites, and prevent stomach problems like indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome. Coconut oil has saturated fats that help the body to absorb amino acids, minerals and vitamins, thereby improving your overall health.

Fitness
Another benefit of coconut oil is that it boosts your fitness by improving energy levels and thyroid function, and stimulating your metabolism. As a result, there is increase in muscle strength, while unwanted flab is burnt. For all these reasons, coconut oil has become popular as a natural low-calorie fat.

Healing
Apply coconut oil on minor cuts and scrapes to protect the wound from virus, bacteria and dust. This oil also heals bruises by healing the damaged tissues. Another plus point is coconut oil smells much better than any medication you may buy to treat these minor wounds.

Hair Care
Instead of splurging on expensive hair conditioners, you can try coconut oil to get rid of dandruff and get shiny, healthy hair. This oil contains many essential proteins that nourish damaged hair. It is therefore no surprise that coconut oil is a common ingredient in many popular hair care products. Avoid using chemical-laden shampoos and try coconut oil for healthy, glowing hair.

Coconut Oil for Immunity
A little-known health benefit of coconut oil is that is can boost immunity. Cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy suffer from lessened immunity which makes them vulnerable to flu, cold etc. Such patients can use coconut oil to boost their immune system and minimize episodes of flu, cold and sickness.

Summary
Now that you know all about the various health benefits of coconut oil, you can stop using chemical-laden skin care and hair care products, and instead try out this healthy oil. Please get back to us with your feedback on how coconut oil has benefited your health.

Nutritional Facts of Lemons:
We all know that lemons are good source of vitamin C. Here is the list of nutrients of nutrients present in 108 grams serving of a fruit.

• Copper – 14%
• Zinc – 1%
• Magnesium – 3%
• Phosphorus – 2%
• Potassium – 4%
• Pantothenic Acid – 3%
• Iron – 4%
• Calcium – 7%
• Niacin – 1%
• Riboflavin – 3%
• Vitamin B6 – 6%
• Thiamin – 4%
• Vitamin C – 139%
• Vitamin A – 1%

Lemon Health Benefits:
Lemon is actually an alkaline food and helps in restoring body balance of people that are used to an acidic diet. Following are the health benefits of lemonade and plain lemon juice:

Skin benefits: As lemon is rich in vitamin C, if you drink lemonade every day it brings glow to your skin. It can be used for treating skin infections, as lemon is an antiseptic. Also, one can use lemon for reducing burning sensation of skin. In order to reduce scars, one must apply it regularly. Also, you can use lemon juice for treating acne.

Excellent antioxidant: Lemon is an excellent antioxidant as it contains vitamin C. These antioxidants act as scavengers against free radicals which cause aging.

Hair care: For hair care, you can mix lemon juice in hot bath water. This helps to get rid of dandruff. Take juice of two lemons and mix them in hot water. Use this water for cleansing scalp and hair. This is a good cleansing agent. It gives shiny texture to the hair.

Dental care: If applied on affected area, lemon juice gives relief from toothache. Massaging with lemon juice on bleeding gums helps to stop bleeding. Are you looking for bad breath remedy? Then you can use lemon juice as mouth wash. Add juice of one lemon in a glass of water and gargle with it. This helps in eliminating bad breath.

Throat infections: As lemon has antibacterial properties, it assists in getting rid of many throat infections. If you are suffering from throat infections, one can drink warm lemon tea or use lemonade for gargling. Vitamin C in lemons helps in hastening the healing process.

Weight loss: In master cleanse lemonade diet lemon is key ingredient. Add honey and lemon juice to hot water and consume it. It greatly reduces weight if you take it on an empty stomach.

Blood purification: Lemonade acts like a blood purifier. It also helps in treating some conditions like cholera and malaria.

High blood pressure: Those suffering from heart related problems can drink lemon water. It contains potassium and thereby aids in treating nausea and hypertension.

Diuretic: Lemon is an excellent diuretic because it flushes out toxins and bacteria from the body. Hence, aids to treat arthritis and rheumatism.

Respiratory problems: Lemonade greatly aids asthmatics because it helps in treating problems associated with respiratory problems.

Lowering fever: Lemon water aids in treating flu and cold, and reduces body temperature as it increases perspiration.

Stomach conditions: Hot water and lemon juice greatly provides relief from several stomach problems. It gives relief from constipation, stomach parasites, nausea, bloating, heartburn, indigestion, etc.

This is all about lemon health benefits. You can get more benefits if you take it with lukewarm water. So, have lemon juice with water every day for better health.

lime juice benefits

.

Health Benefits of Lime Juice:

Following are some

lime juice benefits

.

Weight loss and obesity:

Traditionally the juice of lime has been used for reducing weight. One of its benefits is it reduces calories. Add one tablespoon each of honey and lime juice to a glassful of lukewarm water. Drink this every morning on an empty stomach to reduce weight. One must follow this for at least 2 – 3 months.

Gout:

Gout is either caused by accumulation of uric acid and/or accumulation of free radicals in the body. Limes are rich in antioxidants which control and eliminate free radicals from the body. Also, it helps in body detoxification.

Digestion:

The acids in lime juice break down macro molecules of food, resulting in smooth digestion of food. Flavonoids are an important compound in lime. It stimulates digestive system due to its fragrance, thereby increasing the secretion of bile, digestive juices and acids.

Scurvy:

Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy. As limes are good source of vitamin C, scurvy can be treated effectively with this juice. This remedy became popular from 19th century.

Constipation:

Digestive disorders such as constipation can be cured with lime juice. The acids which stimulate digestive system aid in clearing excretory tract and thereby ease constipation. Lime juice along with salt acts like an effective puragative giving instant relief.

Beauty care:

From centuries, lime juice has been used as the bleaching agent. Its disinfectant, antibiotic and antioxidant properties aid in skin rejuvenation. It also protects the skin from several infections. Sweat and body odor can be tackled easily by mixing lime juice in bath water. This can also be used as last hair wash for adding shine to hair and for removing the grime left behind by shampoo as well as conditioner.

Cystitis:

This is a urinary bladder inflammation. It is also called urinary tract infection. This is either caused by allergic reaction to drugs, radiation therapy or hygienic issues. To get relief from cystitis, one must mix lime juice and water and boil it for sometime. After cooling, one must drink it at an interval of couple of hours. Other urinary tract infections may be cleared as it has high amounts of potassium. This aids in reducing toxic substances that are deposited in urinary bladder and kidneys.

Eye care:

The antioxidant and antibacterial properties of lime protect eyes from muscular degeneration and infections. Mix plain or salted water and a few drops of warm lime juice to wash eyes. This helps to clear several infections such as conjunctivitis.

Peptic ulcers:

These are open sores which develop on inner lining of upper small intestine, esophagus and/or stomach, resulting in severe abdominal pain. The acidic nature of limes causes an alkaline reaction in system, minimizing acidity.

Gums:

As limes are rich in vitamin C, they are good for all gum related conditions as deficiency of vitamin C can result in ulcers and wounds, bleeding and so on.

Dehydration:

One of the several benefits of lime juice is that it gives immediate hydration and rejuvenation. It fights against fatigue and vomiting bouts.

Common cold:

A good dose of lime juice aids in clearing common cold by increasing body resistance.

Besides these

lime juice benefits

, other benefits include eliminates odor, can be added in room fresheners, adds sparkle to glassware, clears calcium deposits, give relief from mosquito bites, helps to clean silver and brass, etc.

jasmine tea health benefits

and side effects.

Jasmine Tea Health Benefits:

Jasmine tea’s history dates back to third century. Although it was brought to China in 3rd century, it became popular during Song Dynasty i.e., from 960 – 1270 AD. Besides just tea, Chinese consider it as medicine for curing many health problems and diseases. Here are some

health benefits of jasmine tea

.

• Relieves anxiety:

  The aroma of jasmine tea has sedative property which reduces heart rates and thereby makes you calm and relaxed.

• Cancer treatment and prevention:

  Jasmine has the capability to slow down cancer cells growth in the body. This has chemoprotective effect for breast tumors. Also, it has some effect on prostate cancer. In future, people may use jasmine instead of chemotherapy for treating cancer.

• Reduces cholesterol level:

  The catechins in green tea that are derived from jasmine green tea lower triglyceride and cholesterol level in body. This test was performed on hamster. Thus, more research has to be done for confirming this benefit in humans. But researchers say that jasmine tea may benefit people who have a fatty diet.

• Lowers bacteria growth:
  According to some studies, jasmine can restrict the growth of some bacteria which triggers food borne illness. Hence, people can be saved from food poisoning.

• Reduces weight:

  Jasmine tea is a good option for reducing weight as it has a sweet taste. Thus, one need not add honey or sugar to it. It also acts like an antidepressant. It is good for fearfulness, post nasal depression, paranoia, menopause, low confidence level, etc.

• Fights against free radicals:

  Jasmine tea protects the body from the damaged caused by free radicals. Free radicals cause damage to body cells and fasten aging process. Jasmine tea helps to slow down aging process.

• Regulates insulin levels:

  People suffering from diabetes can drink jasmine tea for controlling and neutralizing blood sugar levels. Also, people who are at risk of developing diabetes must drink jasmine tea as it reduces the risk.

Jasmine Tea Side Effects:

Like any other, even jasmine tea has some disadvantages. Some say that caffeine is harmful for nerves and heart, while others disagree to that. Confused? Actually both are true. Excessive consumption of anything is bad for health. Hence, much caffeine has negative impact on nerves. Some may become nervous wrecks because of excessive consumption of caffeine. To reduce caffeine content in jasmine tea, you can opt for decaffeinated jasmine tea. This has disadvantage as the actual smell and taste of jasmine tea are missed in decaffeinated tea. Also, it removes about 1/3rd of antioxidants that makes jasmine tea healthy.

truth about bottled water

? The widely accepted norm is that bottled water is healthy since it goes through multiple purification processes and is treated with healthy minerals. But, you may be surprised or even shocked to know that it is not entirely true.

Did you know that the drinking water coming from your kitchen tap passes through strict purification and quality standards passed by the government? Did you also know that the bottled water you pay for need not be all that healthy after all? There are several myths surrounding bottled water which may be hard to distinguish from the facts. This article tries to find the truth about mineral water you should know before buying.

Some myths and facts about bottled water

Following are some myths and facts about bottled drinking water which, after reading, will definitely make you think twice before spending your hard earned dollars on “packaged drinking water”.

• Myth: Bottled water is something special

  Did you really think all the companies in the bottled water manufacturing industry really bring down 100% stream water to you? Then you are awfully wrong. Many companies just use the same water you get from your kitchen tap. They would probably add back just a few minerals to this water and beautifully package it. Here is another interesting thing. If the company is based out of Philadelphia, then you are probably drinking tap water available in Philadelphia, just from a bottle. How is this any different from the tap water you are drinking in your city?

• Myth: Bottled water is always pure

  How many times have you seen the label on the bottle saying “pure” or “natural”? If you think that this water is really 100% pure, you are wrong. Filling the bottle with tap water is one thing. But, what if the water in the bottle actually contains bacteria? This water may not only have bacteria, but may also have chemical contamination. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council – an ardent environmental crusader, in a test conducted over a 4-year period involving 1,000 bottles of water, approximately 22% of the brands they tested contained at least one sample which contained chemical contaminants at levels dangerously above the state health limits. Now, this may or may not cause serious health hazards. But do you still want to take chances?

• Fact: Plastic used in bottling may be quite harmful

  Are you sure that the plastic bottles which is used for packaging water is completely safe? It turns out that the bottles made of polyethylene plastic, at high temperatures, can give out harmful chemicals. There is a speculation that the chemicals from these bottles may even enter the water present in these bottles. And the chemicals that enter this water are quite harmful. One of these chemicals is antimony – a semi-metal which is lethal in large doses. Hence, if you are storing the bottle in hot temperature for some time, there is every chance of this chemical accumulating in water. I am sure you have a better option than drinking water from a bottle which is stored for quite a long time. And the option is drinking tap water.

  If that was not sufficient, here is another eye opener. About 30 billion polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles are sold each year and about 86% of them end up in trash instead of being recycled (according to statistics by Container Recycling Institute). Now, that is a lot of waste which can outlive twenty generations. Considering that each bottle takes at least 400 to 1,000 years to degrade, you do the mathematics about how many centuries they will keep polluting the environment. Can you or your future generations live with it?

• Fact: Oil demand in America is not just for commuting

  What is the reason for America’s huge rate of oil consumption? Of course, it is due to commuting over long distances. However, the oil demand is not only due to commuting. According to statistics from University of Louisville scientists, about 17 million barrels oil are required every year to manufacture PET bottles in America. Are you still wondering why an ounce of bottled water costs you almost that of an ounce of gasoline?

Now that you know the

truth about bottled water

, are you still sure you want to go for “packaged drinking water” or be smart, save money and settle down for your equally healthy tap water?

We all know that pregnant women should avoid consuming raw seafood, excess caffeine and alcohol. But, what should they eat? In this article we reveal foods that

pregnant women should eat

as these foods are rich in nutrients like magnesium, vitamin A, calcium, protein, vitamin C, fiber, folic acid and iron. Read on to learn more about

what pregnant women should eat

.

Iron Supplements

Nutrition experts say most pregnant women do not consume enough iron to help both mother and fetus. Mayo Clinic says that pregnant women should consume 27 milligrams of iron per day.

Kidney Beans

Kidney beans are essential for pregnant women as they contribute a chunk of the daily requirement of iron. Eat dry kidney beans as they are easier to absorb.

Beef

Lean cuts of beef are recommended as they are rich in iron and proteins necessary for healthy blood and fetal development. Mayo clinic says

pregnant women should eat

about three ounces of beef every day.

Cereal

Cereals are great especially those fortified with calcium, iron and fiber. They also contain folic acid which is important for the good health of mother and baby.

Chicken

Pregnant women should consume about 71 grams of protein every day for good health of mother and fetus. Just three ounces of chicken gives about 28 grams of protein. Chicken also contains invaluable iron content.

Eggs

Cooked eggs are recommended but pregnant women should avoid undercooked and raw eggs. Just one large egg gives about six grams of protein as well as iron. Egg yolks are particularly good.

Peanuts and Peanut Butter

Folic acid in peanuts reduces the risk of birth defects and premature labor. Mayo Clinic suggests that pregnant women should consume 800 micrograms of folic acid a day. Peanuts and peanut butter are recommended to add folic acid and protein to diet.

Oranges

Oranges and fortified orange juice are rich in vitamin C and calcium. They also help in iron absorption.

Cheese

Low-fat cheese is recommended for pregnant women as it contains plenty of protein and calcium. Both these nutrients are essential to maintain the good health of mother and baby. But, you should avoid consuming unpasteurized cheese.

Yogurt

Yogurt is rich in calcium and fortifies the muscular, nervous and circulatory systems, besides teeth and bones. Adequate calcium is important for the fetus, otherwise it will take the nutrient from the mother’s skeleton, which will render her vulnerable to bone breaks and cracks.

Milk

Skimmed milk is recommended as it contains plenty of calcium and protein.

Bananas

These fruits are rich in vitamin C, fiber and vitamin B6. These nutrients are essential to keep the mother and child strong and healthy through the pregnancy period.

Almonds

Almonds are a valuable addition to a pregnant woman’s daily diet as they are rich in protein, magnesium, fiber and calcium

What Pregnant Women Should Eat: Other Recommended Foods

• Dried Apricots
• Whole Wheat
• Lamb
• Pork
• Soy Milk
• Pomegranates
• Tomatoes
• Walnuts
• Pasta
• Apples
• Carrots
• Strawberries
• Dried cherries
• Soybeans
• Broccoli
• Oatmeal
• Okra
• Lentils
• Pineapple

Foods to Avoid

Read on to learn about some foods that pregnant women should avoid:

• Uncooked and raw meat
• Undercooked and raw eggs
• Unpasteurized dairy products and milk
• Seafood and fish
• Deep-fried food items
• Sugary foods and drinks

Summary

What pregnant women should eat

is one of the most important aspects of pregnancy and childbirth. They should be wise in consuming good foods and avoiding bad ones. Here’s to a healthy pregnancy and happy childbirth.

]]> http://www.drgranny.com/2011/10/07/what-pregnant-women-should-eat/feed/ 1 http://www.drgranny.com/2011/10/06/truth-about-cereal-bars/ http://www.drgranny.com/2011/10/06/truth-about-cereal-bars/#comments Thu, 06 Oct 2011 07:56:42 +0000 admin http://www.drgranny.com/?p=3778 What can be a healthy snack other than a healthy cereal bar, right? But, did you know the


truth about cereal bars

which most companies don’t tell you? When you go to Wal-Mart, Tesco or Sainsbury’s to shop for your groceries, you won’t be able to resist the temptation to grab a couple of cereal bars just due to the flashy attractive wrappers with all the “healthy alternative” claims. But do you know that all cereal bars are not necessarily healthy and there are lot of myths surrounding these healthy alternatives.

Let us look at some of the myths, facts and the truth about cereal bars.

Myths and Fats about Cereal bars

• Myth 1

  : Cereal bars have reduced fat. Hence, they are healthy

  If you see most cereal bars, they have reduced fat. So, this should naturally be good, right? Wrong!! Anna Denny, a scientist at British Nutrition Foundation says that EU Nutrition and Health regulations strictly require that low-fat products to contain less than 3 gm of total fat for every 100 gms. However, there are no rules for reduced fat food products. This means that the reduced-fat food products contain fat which is just lesser than the original value. In fact, reduced fat means that the original value of fat is reduced by just 25%. So, if you are considering food products like cheese, the fat and calorie contents are still high, and the fat content is nowhere less than 3 gm. Another fact about low or reduced fat food products is that the fat content is replaced by other ingredients which may end up giving the same amount of calories or more.

• Myth 2

  : Cereals bars contain fresh fruits

  Cereals contain fresh fruits rather than frozen fruits and hence should be good sources of vitamins, right? Wrong again!! Many fresh fruits usually have low shelf life and they start perishing with time. Moreover, the longer duration on the shelf, fresh fruits start losing nutrients, especially Vitamin C. Hence it is a bad idea to have fresh fruits which have stayed long on the shelf. Anna Denny says that fruits, if frozen immediately after picking, will preserve Vitamins and other essential nutrients.

• Myth 3

  : Dried fruits are low in calories and hence are healthy

  Now, this is a myth many people are unaware about. Many people don’t know that as a fruit is dried, the calorie content in it automatically increases. Drying a fruit means that you are effectively removing all the water content leaving the fruit with sugars. The sugar content automatically increases the calorie count in the fruit. For example, one fresh apricot (43 gms) contains 12 calories whereas the same dried apricot weighs 8 gms and gives you 15 calories. Since dried fruits are sweeter and easier to eat, one naturally feels tempted to eat more of it, thus naturally increasing the calorie intake. Another unfortunate thing is that even though fruits are rich in fiber, the drying process destroys most of the Vitamin C content in the fruit.

• Myth 4

  : Many cereal bars contain whole grains, nutrients and less sugar

  Wait!!

  Do you have the habit of looking at the nutrition value and the ingredients on the backside of the wrapper of the food products you buy? If not, start doing it today. Many cereal bars contain only a small amount of fiber and calcium compared to the whopping amount of sugar content they have. In a typical granola bar, there will be a whopping amount of calories just due to the sugar content in various forms. One common form of sugar you may find is high fructose corn syrup. For people who are unaware, high fructose corn syrup is the most poisonous of all the sweeteners. You should avoid this sweetener at all cost.

• Fact

  : Dark chocolates are healthier than many cereal bars

  How many times have you heard that cereal bars are a safer bet than chocolate. This may be true in certain situations. However, chocolates are not all that bad. According to Lisa Miles, a nutrition scientist, chocolates contain phytochemicals called flavanoids which have amazing antioxidant properties according to studies. Also, dark chocolates contain polyphenols which are known to reduce high blood pressure. More cocoa content in the chocolates means more polyphenols. Dark chocolates also contain iron which is useful for your body. The only thing you should make sure while eating chocolates is to limit the intake to only a couple of pieces, since it is a high calorie food.

Now, you know the


truth about cereal bars

which are sold as healthy alternatives in these big shopping malls. I am sure that you realized that most of them are loaded with fats, sugars and calories instead of calcium, vitamins and minerals.

So what can you do for a healthy snack? Simple!! Firstly, look for the nutrition value and ingredients behind the wrapper of whatever snack you are buying. This helps you choose the right kind of snack in a big way. Secondly, why not stick to some fresh fruits available in the fruits section? They make amazing healthy food sources. Even plain nuts such as almonds, pistachios and cashew nuts help in a big way. A healthy snack is a one which gives you all nutrients instead of just calories and fat. So, now that you understand better about healthier options, snack away the healthy way!!

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