Just because a food is trending doesn’t mean it’s actually good for you. Many of the items on this list have built their reputation on buzzwords like “natural,” “energizing,” or “clean,” but the reality isn’t always so nutritious. Behind the sleek packaging and health claims, some of these products are loaded with sugar, caffeine, or ultra-processed ingredients. We’re breaking down 12 popular foods that might be more hype than health. Before you reach for that “guilt-free” snack again, take a closer look. Read the labels carefully, that won´t harm.
Note: The content of this article is not medical advice.
Diet sodas
Whoever came up with the idea to replace regular soda with diet soda was just evil. Sure, diet sodas may work for a few people, but the idea of drinking them so you don’t gain much weight while piling heaps of food on your plates is just a bad idea. Your soda may be diet, but is the rest of your food?
Energy drinks
Energy drinks could have been the thing that worked, and yet companies managed to ruin it all. Yes, energy drinks give us a much-needed boost when we’re tired and cranky in the morning, but most are not healthy at all.
This is only because most companies add heaps of preservatives and additives to these drinks, making them pretty bad for you in the long run.
Fad diets
All sorts of fad diets that begin on social media by influencers or celebrities. They promise that the diet will work on everyone but we all know that they won't.
Many Instagram fad diets also don’t have a scientific backing, making them even more dangerous than other popular diets. They’re short-lived but have long consequences.
Superfood powders and supplements
Gulping down a hundred superfood supplements and other ‘health pills’ is probably the most dangerous trend. While supplements may support our body to some extent, they are not suitable replacements for foods. Eat more real food rather than pills, and you will be better off.
Clean eating
It’s good to see people caring about their diets. However, some eating habits are harmful. While skipping processed food is a good approach, clean eating trends are too restrictive and may promote unhealthy food relationships. We are on board with the clean eating trend if it is done in a healthy way.
Gluten-free diets
Now, we’re not saying gluten-free diets are bad because, of course, they’re made to facilitate people with gluten allergies. However, eating gluten-free foods just because of a recent trend, without a dietician’s recommendation, is probably not a good idea.
Gluten-free diets are supposed to be appropriately managed. Without maintenance, they can create deficiencies because they cut out major nutrients.
Meal replacement shakes
The name should be a dead giveaway as to why meal-replacement shakes don’t work; they’re just a bad way to omit certain food groups from your diet and will lead to severe deficiencies later on. The bottom line is you should probably not replace a meal with a liquid shake.
Sinless eating
Sinless or guilt-free eating is a fad that involves eating high amounts of low-calorie foods so one doesn’t feel bad about eating. It’s a way of manipulating one's body into eating more while gaining less.
However, low-calorie foods aren’t always nutritious and can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Plus, you need to know exactly which foods are okay to eat; otherwise, you will be eating many unhealthy foods without knowing it.
Protein Shakes
Protein shakes are a great way to bulk up, but they shouldn't really be part of your everyday life. They are more of a fitness trend rather than real food. But we are getting a little tired of the chalky protein shakes either way. Aren't you?
Ketogenic overeating
The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that forces your body to turn from carbs to fat as an energy source. While the diet may work with regular exercise and is a proven pound-dropper, this low-carb regimen has to be followed to the letter in order for it to be effective. Otherwise, it may be harmful to your health.
Plant-based meats
Like gluten-free diets, plant-based meats and other meals are a good way to overcome dieting restrictions. However, it’s important to realize that while they’re as good a protein source as animal meat, they may have a restricted nutritional profile. Make sure you read those labels before you start eating a diet of purely plant-based meats.
Coconut oil
Many believe eating coconut oil helps them shed weight because it contains MCT (triglycerides that supposedly burn fat and are digested faster). However, its weight loss capabilities are still being studied and are not reliable.
Coconut oil may be a source of MCTs, but it has a higher saturated fat content, which can be dangerous when overeating.
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