There is trend that's been going around for years to eat snacks that are supposed to "help" you lose weight. This may be true, I have no idea because I've never used them. All I do know, however, is that many of these "healthy" snacks contain damaging ingredients that could ruin your long-term health.
I did my research (as I do with everything) on these weight-loss bars and snacks to see what the ingredients were and how they work. Today, I am going to share some of my findings with you and hopefully it will help in your weight-loss journey. Don't forget to check back every Friday for a new post on this topic.
Atkins
You probably know by now that I don't buy into fads. I actually hate them! Atkins is a diet that started as a fad and then became renown for its truth about healthy eating for weight loss and other health issues. Basically, Atkins encourages each person to work with their individual metabolisms to burn fat. The carbohydrates (sugars) are limited so that the body is forced to burn the fat instead of the carbs, thus you lose weight.
This sounds pretty good right? As a personal fitness trainer and health specialist, I'd agree. Everything that Atkins says is correct. Now comes the problem. If you look very closely at the ingredients in the individual snacks and meals that they offer, you will find very unhealthy ingredients. Instead of using natural sugars or non at all, he is adding horrible artificial sweeteners to make his snacks taste better. Here are some examples:
Atkins Frozen Meals - Beef Teriyaki Stir-Fry
Caramel Color (some types of this ingredient can contain a carcinogenic chemical [4-methylimidazole or 4-Mel] that can cause health risks including cancer)
Find out more: Consumer Reports
Canola Oil (this oil is usually refined and is high in omega-6 which is highly susceptible to oxidation. This makes it reactive and damaging to the body, both brain and heart.)
Find out more: A Dancer's Diary
Resistant Maltodextrin (normally, maltodextrin is derived from corn, however, resistant maltodextrin is chemically processed to resist digestion in order to act as fiber to the consumer)
Sucralose (basically Splenda, this no-calorie sweetener can reduce healthy gut bacteria, releases toxins and can alter your body's natural responses. It has been linked to cancers as well as inflammatory bowel disease.)
Find out more: Prevention
Atkins Frozen Meals - Egg with Sausage and Cheese Burrito
Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil (hydrogenated oils can actually increase your risk of obesity. Not only are most American-grown soybeans GMO making the oil bad in and of itself, they are chemically changing it causing a slew of health risks.)
Find out more: Dr. Mercola
Cottonseed Oil (causes heart issues due to the amount of trans fats, increases inflammation and has been linked to various chronic diseases.)
Find out more: Livestrong
Sucralose
Titanium Dioxide (ingesting titanium dioxide regularly can lead to neurological issues as well as cancer and genetic disorders)
Find out more: Dr. Mercola
Canola Oil
Atkins Bars - Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Bar
Soy Protein Isolate (this ingredient is highly processed and can cause allergic reactions, thyroid problems and dementia)
Find out more: Wellness Today
Sunflower Oil (this oil is usually refined and is high in omega-6 which is highly susceptible to oxidation. This makes it reactive and damaging to the body, both brain and heart.)
Find out more: A Dancer's Diary
Sucralose
Atkins Bars - Classic Trail Mix
Soy Protein Isolate
Maltitol (can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea and digestive issues)
Sucralose
Titanium Dioxide
Yellow 5 Lake
Red 40 Lake
Yellow 6 Lake
Blue 2 Lake
Blue 1 Lake
Yellow 6
("Artificial colors and dyes are extremely bad for your long-term health. Studies have shown that most colorings can cause cancer and allergic reactions. Blue 2 was linked to brain tumors in mice, Green 3 bladder cancer, Yellow 3 can cause allergic reactions, Yellow 6 adrenal gland and kidney cancer, and Red 3 thyroid cancer." - A Dancer's Diary)
Corn Oil
Carnauba Wax (the type of wax you use on cars to polish them, not meant for ingesting)
Atkins Sweet Treats - Chocolate Caramel Mousse Bar
Maltitol
Polydextrose (a chemically produced form of false fiber)
Find out more: Slate
Sucralose
Palm Oil
Soy Protein
Whey Protein Isolate (acts in a similar way that soy protein isolate does)
Carrageenan (an indigestible thickener that is destructive to the digestive system and causes inflammation. It can also cause cancer)
Find out more: Wellness Mama
Caramel Color
Titanium Dioxide
Atkins Shakes - Vanilla
Sunflower Oil
Soy Protein Isolate
Sodium Hexametaphosphate (can damage your bones, kidneys and heart as well as increases the risk of pancreatic cancer)
Find out more: Is It Bad For You
Carrageenan
Acesulfame Potassium (contain carcinogenic compounds that can cause cancer)
Find out more: Health Line
Now even though I have only mentioned about two products in each category, you can see a running theme with all of them. I looked at more of the other products and found the same sort of ingredients in them as well. Do you understand why I hate fads? You MUST do your research! As a health specialist, I want to help my clients eat well and lose weight, but not at the expense of their ultimate and long-term health.
Not only are these ingredients bad for you already, they are also not organic. This means that any of the corn, wheat or soy products in these snacks are probably GMO (genetically modified organisms) which can cause even more health problems in addition to the ones previously mentioned.
Most of the ingredients in these weight-loss snacks are chemically produced and most cause cancer. Why would you want to sacrifice the health of your body in order to lose weight? I understand that some people get desperate, but there are better ways to lose weight than to lose your health. Find a health professional that will help you eat healthy and get you on track to losing weight the right way.
If you have any question about this topic, please contact me. I would love to help you out with any questions or concerns you may have either regarding your own diet or the topics we have discussed.
Stay tuned for the next weight-loss scam.
Until next time,
Amanda
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