Today, when everyone is focused on eating healthier, we think we are finally on track for being the great nutrition nation.  We pat ourselves on the back, do a high five and feel like we on our way to better health, longer lives, less stress, and more energy.  It’s all good in the neighborhood. 

The problem is, that with all the labels, internet intel, advertisements, and other mother-wit, most of us really don’t know what’s healthy at all.  We only know what we are told is healthy.  And believe us when we tell you, everything you read or hear is not necessarily true.  Especially when it comes to healthy eating.

The healthy food craze is nothing more than a money maker for many companies.  These companies know how to talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk.  US Family Health Plan – a TRICARE PRIME health program – wants to expose these food frauds.  They are unhealthy foods, deliberately trying to parade themselves as healthy through misleading labels, advertising, or just plain old misconceptions.

Here is the hit list of foods that need to be eliminated from your diet as quickly as possible:

1. Boxed cereal.  As they like to say, read your labels.  You can see from reading the labels of most commercial boxed cereal, they are high in sugar and low in protein.  Not the best way to start off your day. These are what we like to call “empty carbs”. They fill you up, but they can’t keep you going.  In fact, it won’t be long after eating them, that you start to feel hunger pangs, have mood swings andexperience low energy.  Just what your co-worker don’t want.  Do yourself and everyone else a big favor and adjust your first meal of the day to be something healthy.  Try good old bacon and eggs, or even better, try an omelet with spinach, tomatoes and light cheese.  Your morning and everyone else’s will be better.
2. Peanut Butter and Jelly.  The iconic PB&J is a good source for protein, and can quickly slay hunger, but it can also kill you. A classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich packs in more sugar and calories than a standard turkey and cheese (and without the protein).  Not the best choice, if you want to stay healthy.
3. Egg substitutes.  Most are under the impression that eggs are not healthy because they raise bad cholesterol levels.  The correct statement is that too many eggs raise high cholesterol levels.  Eggs in moderation are a great source of protein and nutrition.  This misconception gave rise to a whole new category of products called “egg whites” or “egg substitutes”, which were generally considered healthier than eggs.  Well, the gig is up.  They’re not healthier, just costlier.  New research has uncovered that egg yolks or eggs in general, if eaten in moderation, do not significantly increase cholesterol levels.  And that’s a good piece of news.
4. Sport Drinks.  We have all be ill-informed that we need sugar-water to refuel after a grueling workout.  In reality, scientists now recommend plain water along with 20 grams of protein is what’s needed to help muscles recondition and rebuild.  Turns out the sugar thing was just a big myth, and who needs to increase their sugar intake anyway?
5. Multivitamins.  This is not a slam against vitamins.  We all need those.  The common fallacy is that we need to take a multivitamin, when we get more than enough vitamins through our food, especially if we eat properly.  Close to 50% of all American take a multivitamin each day.  Yet research has not found any justification whatsoever for how these babies help us be healthier.  And that’s a lot of cash down the drain, especially when there’s more than enough evidence that we get all the vitamins we need from what we eat.

US Family Health Plan wants to shine a bright light on unhealthy foods that we all think are healthy along with their unnecessary costs.  Use these dollars to buy more organic products that will actually have a positive impact on your health and the environment.