8. Low sugar – low fat foods can be a health threat
Do you follow a low sugar, low fat diet to be healthy?
If so, once you’ve reached 50, you could actually be damaging your health. It may seem that it’s healthier to go low fat but you should never go too low, as our bodies need a certain amount of fat to function. Plus, as research has shown that our ability to absorb nutrients declines as we get older, it’s important to ensure you are getting the right quantities as you age.
Lower fat foods aren’t always as healthy as they claim either, as they’re often processed and packed with added sugar, or artificial ingredients. When you eat a lot of processed low fat food, you’re consuming a ton of empty calories, which really isn’t good for your body.
Following this type of diet can cause an increased appetite, which leads to weight gain that could put your health at risk. But it’s not just low fat foods that sabotage your attempts to stay healthy as you age – as did you know that low sugar foods can be dangerous too? Instead of sugar, they often contain excessive amounts of harmful sweeteners, like aspartame, which research has found increases the risk of certain cancers.
Consuming these toxins can also exacerbate cardiovascular issues, which is especially bad news for over 50’s, as your risk profile for heart disease rises as you age.
We think there’s enough evidence to avoid processed foods altogether and replace foods that are closer to nature instead. Next time you go shopping, fill your cart with whole grains, healthy fats, and plenty of fruit and vegetables and leave the ultra-processed foods on the shelves.
