I believe it’s the foods disguised as being “Healthy” that are most dangerous. On some level, we all understand that eating donuts, burgers and fries every day isn’t exactly contributing to our wellness. But how about when food companies use marketing to disguise some truly horrid ingredients within their products? All while you’re spending the extra buck to make better choices.
Below are some examples of how Marketing can sneak unhealthy food products into your household
What we see at first glance, the dirty ingredients exposed, and the generally cleaner option
AT FIRST GLANCE ↓
35 Calories
Dairy Free
Gluten Free
DIRTY INGREDIENTS ↓
Carrageenan (carcinogen and contributor to increased intestinal permeability AKA poor gut health and a possible carcinogen)
GENERALLY HEALTHIER OPTION ↓
Califia Farms Almond milk
Malk Almond milk
AT FIRST GLANCE ↓
Organic Whole Almonds
DIRTY INGREDIENTS ↓
Expeller pressed Canola oil
GENERALLY HEALTHIER OPTION ↓
Raw almonds
AT FIRST GLANCE ↓
No artificial flavors
No preservatives
Cholesterol free
MSG free
DIRTY INGREDIENTS ↓
Cane Sugar
Maltodextrin
Natural Flavor
Canola Oil
Safflower Oil
Soy
GENERALLY HEALTHIER OPTION ↓
Simple Pho recipe made at home, using kelp or zucchini noodles
AT FIRST GLANCE ↓
Plant-based burger patties
20 grams protein per serving
Soy free
Gluten free
Non GMO
DIRTY INGREDIENTS ↓
Canola oil
Natural flavor
Maltodextrin
Sunflower oil
Annatto
Modified food starch
GENERALLY HEALTHIER OPTION ↓
Grass-fed burger or a grain-free plant based burger recipe with very few ingredients
AT FIRST GLANCE ↓
Soy free
Dairy free
40 calories per serving
Good source of calcium
DIRTY INGREDIENTS ↓
Canola oil
guar gum (for some this can have a negative effect on gut health)
GENERALLY HEALTHIER OPTION ↓
Make your own cashew or nut milk
3 ingredient Macadamia milk RECIPE
4 ingredient Almond milk RECIPE
Store bought cashew milk with as few ingredients possible
Califia Farms Almond milk
Malk Almond milk
AT FIRST GLANCE ↓
Made with organic coconut oil
No hydrogenated oils
Dairy-free
Soy-free
Non GMO
Gluten-free
Vegan
No high-fructose corn syrup
DIRTY INGREDIENTS ↓
Tapioca syrup
Cane sugar
Guar gum (for some this can have a negative effect on gut health)
Xanthan gum (for some this can have a negative effect on gut health)
Natural flavors
GENERALLY HEALTHIER OPTION ↓
Anita’s brand coconut yogurt
Organic coconut milk, whipped with electric mixer
AT FIRST GLANCE ↓
No artificial colors or flavors
Fair-trade ingredients
DIRTY INGREDIENTS ↓
Sugar
Confectionary coating
Palm Kernel oil
Natural flavors
GENERALLY HEALTHIER OPTION ↓
Raw Dark chocolate with minimal ingredients, no added refined sugars, etc. Here are some cleaner options, but there are now plenty available
Hu Kitchen
Addictive Wellness
AT FIRST GLANCE ↓
Organic
Non-GMO
Vegan
Non-dairy
Lactose-free
0g Trans fat
DIRTY INGREDIENTS ↓
78% vegetable oil
Palm fruit oil
Soybean oil
Canola oil
Natural flavor
Annatto
GENERALLY HEALTHIER OPTION ↓
Ghee
Butter from Grass-fed cows
Butter from grass-fed goats
AT FIRST GLANCE ↓
Gluten-free
Dairy-free
Soy-free
Nut-free
DIRTY INGREDIENTS ↓
Canola oil
Potato starch
Dried cane syrup
Maltodextrin
Xanthan gum
Corn syrup
GENERALLY HEALTHIER OPTION ↓
Pagel brand paleo bagels
AT FIRST GLANCE ↓
Gluten-free
Made with Organic beans and rice
DIRTY INGREDIENTS ↓
Pasteurized milk
Potato starch
High oleic safflower and/or sunflower oil
Cane sugar
GENERALLY HEALTHIER OPTION ↓
Make your own fresh burrito with grain-free tortillas by Siete Foods
Easy Taco Night Recipe
AT FIRST GLANCE ↓
Gluten-free
Chicken used raised without the use of antibiotics
0g Trans Fats
Soy-free
0g sugar
DIRTY INGREDIENTS ↓
Turbinado sugar
Yellow corn flour
Dextrin
Canola Oil
GENERALLY HEALTHIER OPTION ↓
Make from scratch
Ingredients
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup almond meal
1 tbsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp sea salt 2 eggs lightly beaten
olive oil cooking spray
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Slice chicken breasts into long strips.
3. Mix together almond meal, paprika, garlic, cumin, cayenne, pepper, and salt.
4. Soak each piece of chicken in egg and then coat with almond spice mixture.
5. Place on a cookie sheet greased with coconut oil spray.
6. Repeat with all chicken pieces.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
AT FIRST GLANCE ↓
Gluten free
Wheat free
Cholesterol free
Excellent source of Omega-3
DIRTY INGREDIENTS ↓
Corn flour
Soy oil
Cane sugar
GENERALLY HEALTHIER OPTION ↓
TEXT
AT FIRST GLANCE ↓
NON GMO verified
Original Hummus
DIRTY INGREDIENTS ↓
Expeller-pressed canola
GENERALLY HEALTHIER OPTION ↓
5 Minute Hummus RECIPE
Store bought hummus with whole food ingredients and not too many
AT FIRST GLANCE ↓
Gluten free
Dairy free
Low sodium
No genetically engineered ingredients
DIRTY INGREDIENTS ↓
Dried cane syrup
Canola oil
Oats can be difficult for many to digest if they are not pre-soaked, and can cause intestinal permeability
GENERALLY HEALTHIER OPTION ↓
Paleonola
Wild Way
Purely Elizabeth
My Homemade RECIPE
AT FIRST GLANCE ↓
Organic
DIRTY INGREDIENTS ↓
Expeller-pressed canola oil
Cane sugar
GENERALLY HEALTHIER OPTION ↓
Raw nut butter, with the only ingredient being the nut itself.
A few brands I enjoy are Maranatha, Artisana
If you have a local wholefoods, you can usually find a raw nut grinder near the nuts and seeds section, which is sold by weight and is typically cheaper than the pre-packaged options.
AT FIRST GLANCE ↓
Organic
NON GMO Verified
East to digest
DIRTY INGREDIENTS ↓
Expeller-pressed canola
Safflower oil
Sunflower oil
GENERALLY HEALTHIER OPTION ↓
3 Ingredient Rice Milk (Homemade)
Ingredients
4 cups hot water
1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, basmati)
1 tsp vanilla
Directions
Blend mixture until smooth.
Let mixture set for about 30 minutes, then strain milk through a cheesecloth into another jar.
Sweeten as desired.
AT FIRST GLANCE ↓
Gluten free
DIRTY INGREDIENTS ↓
Modified starch
Cane sugar
Canola oil
Oats
Grain blends
GENERALLY HEALTHIER OPTION ↓
Know Foods grain-free breads
California Country Gal grain-free bread mixes