Protein is very important for overall health. A high-protein diet is especially recommended to bulk up muscles and even lose weight. Different types of protein-rich products are available in the market that boasts of being the best protein source for increasing fitness levels.
However, not all the protein sources that are termed healthy are healthy in reality. Here are a few such protein sources that you must avoid including in your diet:
Candied nuts
Nuts like walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds are good sources of protein in their natural form. However, when they are coated in sugar and other processed ingredients they become unhealthy. Candied nuts are nuts with a coating of sugary candy and hence are bad for your health. Instead, you should reach out to roasted nuts for getting protein.
Sweetened yogurt
Naturally created yogurt is rich in protein and is good as a quick meal. However, there are multiple types of flavoured yogurt available in the market that are sweetened with refined sugar and they contain loads of calories and very less amount of protein. While choosing yogurt opt for Greek yogurt and especially the one with few ingredients and also that include a culture of probiotics.
Protein bars and powders
Protein bars and powders are recommended for building muscles and ensuring that the body gets the needed supply of protein. However many meal or protein bars are high in sugar and other additives that are extremely harmful to health. Protein powders and bars with processed sugars or artificial sweeteners can do more harm than good to your health.
Processed cheese
Organic cheese produced from healthy animals does have a good amount of protein. It is the manufactured or processed cheese that is bad for health. Real cheese that is prepared from grass-fed animals is very expensive. So, many people instead buy processed cheese that sometimes is prepared from processed oils and is very bad for health.
Plant-based meat replacers
Being vegan or vegetarian is very good for overall well-being. However, replacing meat with plant-based meat replacers in burgers and sausages is not always a good idea. These replacers are heavily processed and have increased amounts of sodium and other ingredients. Instead, you can try eating whole-food meat replacers that are prepared without much processing and additives.
Wholegrain bread with seeds
Whole grains are high in fiber but they have very little protein content. The toppings of seeds are just for decoration and do not provide much protein and are more loaded with carbohydrates and sugar.
Disclaimer: This piece of article is for basic information purposes only. It's always advisable to consult a doctor for any type of health issue.