Deciding on the healthiest food options can be a challenge. At times, choosing the ‘less healthy’ but minimally processed version of an item could be more beneficial for your health.
You might think that opting for a spread over butter would aid in weight loss and promote a healthier lifestyle – however, according to @tonichealth, this might not be the case. He is an advocate for avoiding “ultra-processed” items.
Maintaining a diet that is as free from “junk-free” as possible is crucial, says the health influencer, suggesting four simple swaps you can make during your next grocery run to “change your life.”
The first suggestion supermarket swap may surprise many: “Swap your skimmed milk for full-fat milk”. Next, they recommend replacing your seeded loaf with a loaf of sourdough bread, explaining that the seeded variety is “ultra-processed bread full of nonsense you don’t want like emulsifiers and seed oils”.
In contrast, sourdough is “legit,” containing “no additives,” making it “the way to go”. The third swap suggested by @tonichealth is the “easiest” as all you need to do is replace your spreadables with real butter.
“Go back to original butter,” they advise, pointing out that spreadable contains a “blend of rapeseed, vegetable and linseed oil, plus emulsifiers,” while butter is simply “one ingredient minimally processed and it’s grass-fed milk and made into butter”.
The expert’s final piece of advice for households is to switch from Greek-style yoghurt to authentic Greek yoghurt. He pointed out that Greek-style varieties often contain “more sugar and less protein than real Greek yoghurt”.
While accepting that Greek style may be more budget-friendly, he highlighted the benefits of Greek yoghurt, explaining it has “125% more protein […] and 15% less sugar”. Consequently, he branded this a “double health win”, going so far as to claim Greek yoghurt is “way tastier and way better for you”.
In response to his tips, one commenter gratefully mentioned having “made these swaps already” based on his recommendations. A different individual noted they’ve “cut dairy altogether” and taken up the use of a “bread maker” to ensure full knowledge of their bread’s ingredients, labelling it a “game changer”.
Research about the health implications of ultra-processed food (UPFs) is still developing. Nevertheless, ongoing studies are increasingly shedding light on their adverse effects on our bodies.
According to the British Heart Foundation, ultra-processed items are typically loaded with saturated fat, salt, and sugar. Certain scientists believe that additives in these foods might be culpable for the detrimental impacts on our health.
Other research indicates that the actual processing of foods can alter how we digest them. Moreover, a burgeoning hypothesis suggests that ultra-processed foods may influence our gut health negatively.
Naturally, everyone’s nutritional requirements vary, and what suits one person may not be beneficial for another. If you’re worried about your eating habits or the impact of ultra-processed foods, and are keen to lead a healthier life, it’s best to seek advice from your GP who can guide you towards the right services.