In this post, I’d like to expose disguised healthy foods that often lure unsuspecting health conscious victims like me. Being aware of such foods may hopefully help you in your food preparation or food choices in your journey to better health. In my efforts to my lower my LDL cholesterol levels, I have been mindful of the kinds of prepared food that are healthy or otherwise at friendly neighbourhood food kiosks or restaurants. Be aware that some food is disguised as healthy but it is shockingly not.
Flashback to December 2021, I collected my blood test and had a shock when I discovered my LDL has shot worryingly way above the borderline. I thought I had been mindful of what I had eaten and was disappointed and puzzled with the results. I emphatically told the doctor that I had been careful of my diet but he did not take heed to what I was saying and recommended to put me on statins. Damn! That was the last resort for me. So it was a no-no.
That evening, I reflected on the food I had eaten in the past 6 months and low and behold after some research, I could finally pin point the cause of my LDL spike. You must be curious eh? Well, here are the culprits – shocking but true:
Disguised Healthy Foods
Impossible Meat
I used to consume impossible meat on a regular basis thinking it is a great substitute for beef and chicken which I have stayed away from for some years. Then, I ate impossible meat in quesadillas, wraps and daily bowls being oblivious that it is a contributor to my LDL spike. Honestly, I thought I was eating healthy. Alas! It wasn’t so. This was just an illusion.
Shocking fact is between impossible meat and beef burger, there is only 1g difference in saturated fat per 4 ounce of meat. The main contributor of saturated fat is coconut oil which is not heart healthy. The same amount of impossible meat contains 240 calories. In a nutshell, plant based meat has about similar saturated fat to beef hamburgers, and far more sodium.
Furthermore, impossible meat contains highly processed foods such as cultured dextrose, food starch modified and soy leghemoglobin which sound like lab-processed ingredients! Though impossible meat does not contain dietary cholesterol, this plant based meat should be eaten sparingly or better still be avoided if you want to lower or maintain healthy LDL as saturated fat in the coconut oil is a main contributor of high LDL.
I have avoided impossible meat ever since the moment of epiphany. I resort to tuna or salmon for meaty substitutes. Other great burger substitutes are those that replace impossible meat with tofu or tempe or lentil patty.
Roasted Sesame Dressing
I was addicted to roasted sesame sauce in poke bowl and salad dressing. Little did I know that it is one of the contributing factors for the spike in my LDL. Truth be told it contains 63 calories in 1 tbsp which translates to 80% fat! Don’t be fooled by what the nutrition label states which is 1g saturated fat in every 2 tbsp. This dressing contains egg yolk of which the amount isn’t indicated. As we know, egg yolk contains saturated fat. According to sources 1 egg yolk contains 186 mg of cholesterol. The question is why does the manufacturer indicate 0 mg cholesterol in the nutrition label? I find that the ingredients and nutrition label do not somehow gel. I have since avoided roasted sesame dressing and opt for Italian vinaigrette or spicy Habanero instead.
Tuna Mayonnaise Sandwich
The humble tuna’s healthy reputation is ruined when the flakes are mixed with mayonnaise. Being a pescatarian, the only option I have apart from the bland vegetable sandwich at Subway is tuna sandwich. Despite its creamy tasty flavour, tuna mixed with mayonnaise isn’t the best option for regular quick lunches. I use hummus to mix with tuna flakes instead. The same goes for egg sandwich. In my opinion the tuna and hummus mix tastes better in wraps and sandwiches.
So far, I have avoided the above disguised healthy foods. I’m mindful of having at least 2 servings of vegetables with my daily main meal. Being aware of unhealthy ingredients in food will definitely help in choosing the right food to buy, order or prepare. My journey to lower my LDL cholesterol still continues. Follow me on my journey and keep up to date with my latest pursuits.