Do you know that healthy foods can kill you? A 28-year-old woman from Mexico died soon after being taken to the hospital complaining of kidney pains. Lorena Peralta Baltazar had been on a diet of weight loss shakes for six months.

The doctors found a large amount of lead in her blood, which caused kidney failure. The lead also damaged her liver, pancreas, and other organs. Lorena was on a Herbalife nutritional program and had been consuming meal replacement shakes for six months.

People these days want to reduce weight quickly for which they get attracted towards various products which promise them to reduce weight in ten days, in turn, they are facing sudden cardiac deaths, heart attack, liver damage and much more.

Weight loss shakes, protein shakes and meal supplements that claim to help you lose weight quickly have gained immense popularity around the world. Visit any supermarket and you are sure to spot a new, never heard of brand selling its healthy food options and diet meals to weight-conscious customers.

Moreover, Lorena’s case highlights the mindlessness with which we are consuming these seemingly healthy products. It is important to know how to read the label and realize that not all diet and healthy foods out there are good for you. Here’s a list of healthy foods that can kill you or land you in the hospital.

Juices

Hate fruits and instead end up picking up fruit juices with ‘no sugar’ claims available at the supermarket? There’s the reason why you should stop now! Most of these juices have very little or no real fruit in them and the taste is enhanced with artificial flavors and sugar. All you get from fruit juice is sugar that your body doesn’t need and just a few vitamins. Regular intake of fruit juices can lead to obesity, type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease amongst many others.

Whole Wheat

While whole wheat is healthier than refined wheat, it is still not healthy for your body and should be avoided. As per one study, wheat fiber can deplete the store of Vitamin D in the body and can also increase the production of LDL cholesterol by 60 % which can be fatal to your heart. It is also rich in gluten and therefore, it’s better you control the intake.

Honey or Agave nectar

We often prefer drizzling our pancakes and waffles with honey instead of maple syrup. However, you are not saving yourself from the ill effects of sugar by making this seemingly ‘healthy’ choice. It is important to note that the fructose content is what one should be aware of in these sweeteners. Too much fructose can lead to fatty liver disease and metabolic problems, leading to obesity and diabetes. You are better off using regular sugar with its 50% fructose than Agave nectar with 90% fructose.

Sports/energy drinks

Before you reach out for a bottle of energy drink that promises to up your energy levels in an instant, you need to understand what these contain – water (so that you do not feel dehydrated), electrolytes (electrolytes like sodium is lost via sweat), and sugar (a source of energy). Nothing wrong with it you feel?

Well, now you need to know who needs these energy drinks. These sports drinks were made for athletes who indulge in intense training sessions which includes massive sweating. So if you are not indulging in a heavy, intense workout and just sweating it out due to cardio exercises or simple weight training, you Do Not need this. Go for plain water with a lemon squeezed in it or coconut water. One bottle of an energy drink contains over 30 grams of sugar.

Energy Bars

Convenient and an instant source of protein, energy bars are fit for athletes or those who are a part of intense training. These bars are highly processed and though high protein content is a good part, they contain the same unhealthy ingredients that a bar of chocolate contains- white flour, sugar, oil, and, butter This is better than grabbing junk foods when you are hungry and away from a healthy eating option but do not make it a habit or a meal replacement. Always keep fruit in your bag to avoid going hungry or ending up uploading up calorie-rich food.

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