Isabella Ross
With the influential world of social media fingertips away, health trends have become a quick fix for people to abide by in the hopes of instantaneously achieving a lean lifestyle. Yet some health trends that have surfaced recently are simply a waste of money, or can ultimately pose as a potential health risk.
Juice Cleanses
Contrary to popular belief, our bodies are already on clockwork to continually purify the gut and immune system; hence juice cleanses are an inefficient method of detox. When juicing a fruit all of the nutrients within the skin and pulp are discarded which will ultimately leave you feeling hungry. The Department of Health advises individuals to choose fresh fruit and vegetables more often than juice because they are higher in fibre and have no added sugar.
Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil has swept the globe, becoming one of the most popular health trends recently with people using it in drinks, cooking and for mouth-hygiene. However the risks associated with coconut oil have been overshadowed, as in reality the fat content in coconut oil is 82 per cent saturated; which is not healthy in large quantities. Particularly detrimental for those who suffer from clogged arteries or high cholesterol, coconut oil can contribute to a risk of cardiovascular disease if not used sparingly according to data published by the American College of Cardiology.
Meal Replacement Shakes
Many of us have little time to dedicate towards preparing homemade nutritious meals; in comes the meal replacement shake. However numerous varieties of these dietary supplement drinks tend to have excessive amounts of sugar and do not provide all the nutrients your body needs to function properly as reiterated by the Australian Healthy Food Guide. The knowledge of preparing healthy meals rather than relying on a shake is fundamental to achieving a well-balanced lifestyle or losing weight if needed.
Low- Fat Diet
Unbeknownst to many, fat is not the enemy. Healthy fats such as avocado, salmon and nuts are necessary components of any nutritional diet, as they provide essential nutrients, antioxidants and just as importantly they provide palatability to meals says Australian nutritionist Joanna McMillan.
It is often the case that yoghurt labelled as ‘fat-free or low fat’ will be more unhealthy, as high amounts of sugar are added to make up for the loss in supposed fat.
