Are You Adding This "Healthy" Food To Your Meals? It's What's Slowing Down Your Metabolism

Are you sure that your healthy habits do not harm your health?

Many products that are advertised as "superfoods" or "natural supplements" may have the opposite effect.

For example, ready-made smoothies and protein bars often contain hidden sugars and artificial thickeners. A jar of store-bought smoothie can contain up to 40g of sugar – more than a can of cola!

And protein bars disguise calories under “healthy” ingredients: nuts and dried fruits, but their base is maltodextrin and palm oil.

Research shows that excess fructose and synthetic additives disrupt liver function, slowing down the breakdown of fats. For example, fructose, unlike glucose, is almost completely processed by the liver, which provokes insulin resistance and fatty hepatosis.

But that's not all. Even popular vegetable oils, such as rapeseed or sunflower, release toxic aldehydes when heated - compounds that inhibit metabolism and damage cells.

Scientists from the Harvard School of Public Health warn that regular consumption of fried foods in such oils reduces the metabolic rate by 12-15%. And yet many consider them a “healthy alternative” to butter!

For example, sunflower oil is advertised as a source of vitamin E, but when fried it loses 90% of its beneficial properties.

Where else are “metabolic bombs” hiding?

• Ready-made salads with dressings. It seems like the perfect lunch, but the dressings often contain corn syrup and MSG. A serving of Caesar salad with dressing can "give" 600 kcal and 10 g of trans fats.
• Low-fat yogurts. To compensate for the taste, manufacturers add sugar and starch. A cup of 0% yogurt = 5 cubes of refined sugar.
• Energy bars for athletes. Many of them contain soy isolate, which disrupts hormonal balance in women.

How to Make a Smart Choice

Read labels like a detective. Avoid products where sugar is in the top 3 ingredients or there are names: dextrose, maltose, agave syrup.

Replace store-bought dressings. Mix olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and mustard—it takes 1 minute but saves 200 calories.

Make your own muesli. Fry oatmeal with honey, add pumpkin seeds and dried apricots – no palm oil!

Instead of store-bought smoothies, make homemade ones with vegetables (spinach, cucumber, celery) and unsweetened berries (blueberries, cranberries).

Replace refined oils with coconut oil (for frying) or extra virgin olive oil (for salads).

Choose protein bars without maltodextrin, such as those made with dates and almonds.