Here are some protein-rich foods that may be unhealthy and fattening:
1. Packaged Yogurt
Store-bought yogurts often boast of high-protein levels, but don’t go eating it every day as it may contain preservatives and added sugars. They also have added artificial flavours and, hence, are unhealthy for you. Opt for homemade curd or yogurt instead.
2. Protein Bars
Protein bars are a type of nutritional supplement that comes in a variety of brands and flavors — chocolate, dark chocolate, almond, vanilla, peanut butter and chocolate, oatmeal, and more. Many protein bars have a good balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat, making them a nice choice for a snack or postworkout recovery boost. Some protein bars are higher in sugar while others use sugar alcohols.
3. Peanuts
Peanuts are rich in monounsaturated fats, the type of fat that is emphasized in the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet. Studies of diets with a special emphasis on peanuts have shown that this little legume is a big ally for a healthy heart. In one such randomized, double-blind, cross-over study involving 22 subjects, a high monounsaturated diet that emphasized peanuts and peanut butter decreased cardiovascular disease risk by an estimated 21% compared to the average American diet.
In addition to their monounsaturated fat content, peanuts feature an array of other nutrients that, in numerous studies, have been shown to promote heart health. Peanuts are good sources of vitamin E, niacin, folate, protein and manganese. In addition, peanuts provide resveratrol, the phenolic antioxidant also found in red grapes and red wine that is thought to be responsible for the French paradox: the fact that in France, people consume a diet that is not low in fat, but have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared to the U.S. With all of the important nutrients provided by nuts like peanuts, it is no wonder that numerous research studies, including the Nurses’ Health Study that involved over 86,000 women, have found that frequent nut consumption is related to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Peanuts Rival Fruit as a Source of Antioxidants
Not only do peanuts contain oleic acid, the healthful fat found in olive oil, but new research shows these tasty legumes are also as rich in antioxidants as many fruits.
While unable to boast an antioxidant content that can compare with the fruits highest in antioxidants, such as pomegranate, roasted peanuts do rival the antioxidant content of blackberries and strawberries, and are far richer in antioxidants than apples, carrots or beets. Research conducted by a team of University of Florida scientists, published in the journal Food Chemistry, shows that peanuts contain high concentrations of antioxidant polyphenols, primarily a compound called p-coumaric acid, and that roasting can increase peanuts’ p-coumaric acid levels, boosting their overall antioxidant content by as much as 22%.
4. Protein Shakes
Vanilla Coffee Shake
Replace your sugar-filled blended drink from the coffee shop with this healthier, protein-packed version.
Protein provides the body with amino acids, which are the building blocks for muscle growth and are considered an essential supplement by top bodybuilders. You can get your protein in many forms, including powder and bars.*
BANANA PROTEIN SHAKE
Homemade protein shakes are a great way to quickly get all sorts of protein as well as fill you up for a meal replacement. I like to have a protein shake every morning for breakfast. They take less than 5 minutes to make and are super delicious.
Protein shakes are also used as recovery drinks after an intense workout, but they may contain high amounts of sugar as well. Make sure to check the lable on your favoured brand of protein shake, before downing it post-workout.
5. Processed Cheese
Spreadable cheese, sliced cheese, string cheese, individually wrapped cheese, and spray cheese. These are just some of the weird and wonderful modern prepared cheese foods we have access to these days.
However, if you look a little deeper, you might find that processed cheese is simply an industrially produced, recently invented digestible product, and not a real food at all. In fact, it is credited to a Swiss inventor from the early twentieth century.
Some processed cheese is so artificial that it cannot be legally labeled as “cheese,” so it is referred to as “cheese food,” “cheese spread” or “cheese product.”
