About Dr. Ann
» Meet Dr. Ann
» Bio
» Recent News
» Photo Gallery
"Dr. Ann has been invaluable to our administration's effort to encourage people to make healthier choices in their day-to-day lives. Far too many people in our state eat the wrong things and don't get enough exercise, leading to a host of health problems that could be prevented. Dr. Ann is a key part of our work to change those trends."
-- Mark Sanford, Governor, South Carolina
"Dr. Ann’s passion and knowledge about improving our health and well-being are contagious. She is a terrific speaker who motivates while she educates."
-- Samuel E. "Sandy" Beall, Chairman and CEO, Ruby Tuesday, Inc.
"I have heard many experts talk about nutrition and exercise over the years and she is by far the most inspiring speaker I have ever heard."
-- Steven C. Cole, President and COO, Support Services Alliance, Inc., An Excellus Company
"My folks loved the message and the messenger. Dr. Ann presents wellness and a healthy lifestyle with unrivaled passion and energy. She makes you want to swear off french fries for the rest of your life."
-- Art Lucas, Founder and President, The Lucas Group
"A presentation by Dr. Ann is a must for the successful start of any company’s wellness program. Her clear, concise and energetic delivery of crucial health information has enabled us to establish a wellness culture throughout our entire organization."
--Tim Simmons, Chairman and CEO, Security Federal Bank
Sign up for our
FREE e-newsletter
|
|
Health Myths- Foods you think are Healthy but are Not, Part 2
(continued from Part 1)
Health myths abound when it comes to food. Many so called "health foods" are nothing more than nutritionally defunct, empty calories masquerading as the good guys you want them to be. What follows are the most notorious "health food imposters."
- Bran Muffins: Unless you make your own, forget these no-icing cupcakes. The
standard store-bought (or Starbucks) bran muffin is loaded with white
flour, sugar, vegetable oil, additives difficult to pronounce along
with a touch of added bran. Don't let that wholesome, rich,
brown color fool you. Like colas, it typically comes from
added caramel coloring.
- Fruit Juice:
Although it can provide some nutrients and a touch of fiber, the
standard fruit juiced is loaded with calories and sugar (some have more
than soda!). Remember that liquid
calories do not suppress your
appetite as effectively as solid food calories.
It’s much better for both health and body weight to eat a
piece or two of real fruit and drink water instead.
- Meal Replacement/Energy Bars: While some are a bit more wholesome than others, (15 vs. 40 or so
ingredients) these popular, modern day favorite are the ultimate in
100% pure factory made, processed foods. In my book, they are
not food, but food-like artifacts that are generally high in sugar
and/or unhealthy fats. Have a handful of nuts and a piece of
fruit as a real, healthy alternative. (If you must - Kashi,
Nature's Path,
Luna, or Pria are your best options.)
- Infused Waters: Like yogurt, "water" has the health-halo effect and the beverage
industry is currently exploiting it to the max. Water infused
with all sorts of supposedly healthy extras, like vitamins, minerals,
antioxidants, and herbs are the fastest growing beverage
products. Most of them are nothing more than sugar-fortified
drinks like their first cousins, soda with a smidge of a few added
vitamins. There is zero evidence that extracting nutrients
from their native context (foods) and adding them to water has any
health benefit (and may even have risks). If you use these
products, you are paying several 100 times more than you would for tap
water (which is more rigorously monitored than bottled water). By the
way, pure water
is the only beverage that provides 100% of what we need and why we have
to drink to stay alive - namely H20.
Click here to return to Part 1
|
