Food Replacements That You Thought Were Dangerous But Really Are Not

Introduction:

You can’t judge food by its appearance. Beneath the surface, there are some food replacements that are really not dangerous after all.

 

Coconut flour:

Coconut flour is a byproduct of coconuts. This type of flour is often categorized as dangerous because its coconut counterparts can be dangerous. If you eat too many coconuts, you are at risk of diarrhea or other stomach diseases. However, while regular coconuts need to be eaten in moderation, coconut flour does not, as it is a completely separate starch. This means you can replace regular flour with coconut flour and enjoy this alternative at any time of the year. Mixing flour with other baking goods is a great way to insert a hint of coconut in your daily meals.

 

Greek yogurt:

Greek yogurt is often misunderstood. It isn’t yogurt, and it isn’t sour cream either. Greek yogurt serves as an intermediary between the two, and spread on the right foods, makes for a delicious additive. Because there are many recipes for Greek yogurt, people often don’t know exactly what it contains, and they fear it is dangerous. Actually, Greek yogurt has existed for decades under different names such as labaneh or yogurt cheese. Without whey or GMOs, this version of yogurt can easily be healthier than regular yogurt. Once you understand that Greek yogurt is based around the same packing procedure, there is no reason to be afraid of this food replacement.

 

Granola:

The media has depicted granola as an evil source of sugar. Although this might be true for some brands of granola, others stick to healthy recipes. Granola is indeed sweet, but this taste often comes from natural sugars. Preservatives are kept to a minimum, and the resulting product is great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The dangers of granola are usually perceived to be an excess of sugar. Unless you are at the risk of high blood pressure, this is not a warning that you need to worry about. However, it is worthwhile to double check granola in cereal products, as these forms of granola are meshed with the cereal. They can still contribute a major source of sugar. Nevertheless, standalone granola is not nearly as bad as it is commonly portrayed.

 

Food coloring:

Food coloring has long been on the FDA watch list. In some decades, it was highlighted as a dangerous additive that should be avoided at all costs. In other decades, noise died down and it was a normal part of many foods. Today, researchers have pronounced food coloring safe once and for all. These products are highly regulated, and all the top brands meet these standards without a doubt. Red, green, and blue colors are safe to consume in store-bought products or home cooking.

 

Carrageenan Extract:

This is an extract from red, edible seaweed. It has a notorious reputation of tainting organic foods and going undetected through taste tests and trials. In reality, the extract is fine for the body and even good for certain individuals. Because it is a seaweed based product, it has a large concentration of sodium. This sodium derivative should be taken in moderation, and there is no doubt that an excess amount will clog your arteries. However, taken in moderation, it is perfectly fine to consume. In the late 20th century, scientists were not aware of these health benefits, and thus the extract was known to be harmful. Today, researchers have discovered many uses for the product, so there is no reason to be scared of small quantities.

 

Conclusion:

Before taking a bite to eat, always check the nutritional facts and details about your meal. Some food replacements are dangerous, some are not, but you don’t want to miss out on delicious food just because of a misconception.

 

Craig Middleton

Craig has worked in health, real estate, and HR businesses for most of his professional career. He graduated at UC Berkeley with a bachelor's degree in Marketing.

Leave a Reply