Did you know that foods promoted as “healthy” and “good for you” are often products that do just the OPPOSITE!

* Question: Can you guess which product has more sugar in it?

~Yoplait yogurt with fruit,… Trix,… or Lucky Charms cereals~ ???

Most people would say hands down, it’s got to be the colorful, sweet cereal, right? Actually,… WRONG, it’s the yogurt! Friends don’t be fooled by deceptive marketing tactics plastered on the front of containers, bottles, boxes, etc. Look on the BACK! READ the ingredients! These sugary cereals contain 14g of sugar, bad enough, however; the yogurt contains 20g of sugar per serving!

Wonder why so many people have heart disease, diabetes, cancer, etc. because everything we eat is loaded with sugar. Some of the worst offenders are fat free and low fat foods. Take out the fat and you take out the flavor. No one wants to eat bland and boring food, so the answer is sweetners. There are dozens of sweetners added to most, if not all processed foods. The man-made artificial sweetners, aspartame being one, are the most harmful to our health.

When reading those labels on the back of food packages, if you can’t pronounce the words or don’t know what they are, put it back on the shelf and look for items with real ingredients. Unfortunately anything “processed” is often full of chemicals: additives, sweetners, preservatives, dyes, stabilizers, etc. When shopping buy as much “real food” ingredients as possible. Spend most of your time in the produce section where the real food hangs out!

Next time you want to buy yogurt, consider purchasing plain yogurt. I enjoy Greek yogurt because it’s thicker and creamier. It has less water than regular yogurt. You can drop in fresh, frozen, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, and for a touch of added sweetness, maybe a drizzle of raw honey or pure maple syrup.

You MUST be mindful of what you are putting in your bodies. Try to shop for real ingredients and make snacks and meals from scratch. Get back in the kitchen!!! Get the whole family involved…plan, prepare, and feel amazing!

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational purposes only, as well as to give general information. It is not meant to be used as specific medical advice or to replace consulting with your doctor. You should always consult with your doctor. This article should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a licensed professional.