You May Be Mislead About Bread

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Josh Bezoni- You may be mislead about Bread

Garlic bread. Bread sticks. Ciabatta. Focaccia. Pita bread. Naan. Sourdough. Rye. Brioche. Pizza. Grilled cheese. Bread comes in many delectable forms, but bread is a carb and therefore, we have been led to believe that it’s bad for us- encouraged to avoid the very thing many of us so often crave. However, unless you have a gluten allergy, there’s no reason for you to cut bread out of your diet if you want to stay healthy. Contrary to popular belief, not all bread is bad for you! It’s simply a matter of knowing which breads won’t wreck your diet, and which to avoid. Lucky for you, I’ve done my research and found some healthy breads out there and targeted some not-so-healthy options. So the next time you’re in the supermarket trying to decide which bread to pull off the shelf, keep this advice in mind.

Belly-bulging breads

There are certain red-flags to look out for when buying bread, namely hydrogenated oils/trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, and wheat flour. Some breads may appear to be healthy, but you need to read the label first! For instance, just because the bread has “wheat” in the name doesn’t make it healthy. Read the ingredients to make sure the bread is made with 100% whole wheat or 100% whole grain. Anything else is likely made with refined white flour. Whole grains are the best for your diet, as they’re naturally low-fat and cholesterol free.

Here are some culprits to look out for:

  • The Mission 96% Fat Free Flour Tortillas: Just because they claim to be mostly fat free doesn’t make them healthy! These tortillas contain hydrogenated oils/trans fats, which can cause belly fat, and other more threatening health problems like heart disease.
  • Sara Lee Soft and Smooth Honey 100% Whole Wheat Bread: This option may sound healthy since it’s 100% whole wheat, but again look at the ingredients: it contains high fructose corn syrup which can make you hungrier.
  • Wonder’s Original English Muffins: There are much better English muffin options out there, as this one is made with refined wheat flour (not 100% whole wheat) and contains high fructose corn syrup.

Belly-flattening breads

Don’t despair. There are some healthy options out there if you know what to look for! There are plenty of healthy supermarket options that are high in fiber, made with 100% whole wheat or 100% whole grains, low in sodium, and low in saturated fat.

Here are a few good choices to get you started:

  • Food for Life Genesis 1:29 bread: It’s made with sprouted grains and seeds.
  • Oroweat English Muffins
  • Thomas’ Better Start English Muffins

Well, that’s all for now! Always look at the ingredients of whatever you’re buying. If you know what to look out for, then there’s nothing keeping you from consuming some of your favorite foods! For more health and nutrition advice, check out my articles on joshbezoni.com.

Fighting Belly Fat: How To Avoid Belly-Bulging Snacks

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Fat Belly
Choosing healthier alternatives to fattening snacks can help fight fat.

This article is based off of Josh Bezoni’s 37 Foods that Fight Belly Fat.  Check out the full piece for more detailed information.  Today, we’ll summarize some of Josh’s most important points on how to avoid belly-bulging snacks that might be hampering your weight loss goals.

The first thing to look out for is snack foods that appear to be, or are marketed as, healthy choices.  Keep in mind that not every “light” or “diet” food is actually better for you.  Here are a few red flags that should help you make better choices in the grocery store.

Be wary of “weight loss” drinks that contain loads of sugar or artificial sweeteners.  These can be a false panacea that may actually move the scales in the wrong direction.  You should also be careful when presented with “sugar-free” anything.  Sometimes this means that the product is unsweetened, but in other cases the snack item may contain added artificial sweeteners that you’ll want to think twice about before putting into your body.  Another trap that can be easy to fall into is reaching for glorified candy bars masquerading as “energy bars.”

Chips and crackers are amongst the most common foods at parties and gatherings, but they might be getting in the way of your weight loss goals.  Look out for hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup, and enriched flour as ways to disqualify these types of foods from making an appearance at your next shindig.

At the very least, being aware of some of these red flags will go a long way to helping you choose healthy alternatives to some of the most pervasive and unhealthy snack foods.

Don’t forget there are plenty of delicious and healthy alternatives to chips, cookies, and fattening crackers.  Next time you’re shopping, try picking up unsalted almonds, pecans, or walnuts as a healthier alternative.  If you have a sweet tooth, try some dark chocolate.  While you always want to eat chocolate in moderation, choosing chocolate that is in the 70-80% cocoa range should be a good balance of great taste without loading up on extra sugar.

For more tips on avoiding belly-bulging foods, check out Josh Bezoni’s full 37 Foods that Fight Belly Fat.  

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. You should not stop taking any medication without first consulting your physician.

Fighting Belly Fat: Beverages

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Spoonful of Sugar
Sugar is often the culprit that makes beverages the enemy of a flat belly.

Many of us struggle with weight loss, particularly when it comes to the tricky belly area.  In his piece, 37 Foods that Fight Belly Fat, fitness professional and Belly Fat Free author Josh Bezoni discusses some of the foods that may help promote fat burning and prevent weight gain.  This series highlights some of the salient points from the 37 Foods report, and this installment deals specifically with the beverages that can both hinder and help fat burning.

Beverages to Avoid

  • Sugary Sports Drinks: This is one category of beverages to generally steer clear of.  These types of drinks can be a wolf in sheep’s clothing because they are often associated with exercise.  Unfortunately, drinking them can undo the progress you might make with your workout because of their high sugar content. If you’re working out, make sure to replace those sports drinks with plenty of water and nutrient-rich foods.
  • Soda: This probably isn’t news to anyone at this point, but most of the most popular sodas contain high levels of high-fructose corn syrup, which is arguably the “worst carb” EVER.
  • Energy Drinks: Energy drinks can be a common pitfall for those trying to burn fat because they can provide an easy jolt of energy for a late-night workout or after a long day of work.  Again, these are often loaded with sugar, and the caffeine content may lead to a “crash” shortly after, leaving you reaching for more sugar for a pick up.

Belly-Flattening Beverages

  • Water: This is an easy one.  No one working on losing weight can go wrong by replacing sugary beverages with pure and clean water.  Athletes will benefit by making sure they are regularly hydrated.  If plain water doesn’t strike your fancy, feel free to add a twist of lime or lemon or a small splash of fruit juice to liven it up.
  • Unsweetened, Caffeine-Free Teas: Naturally flavorful and containing zero calories, herbal teas are a great way to add delicious beverages into your day without bulging your belly.

These are just a few tips on how to choose the best beverages to support your health and body transformation goals.  Check out the full piece for more information on belly-flattening foods, sources, and continued reading.

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. You should not stop taking any medication without first consulting your physician.