I’ll let you in on a little secret; I shop for health food like some women shop for shoes. I like to peruse the aisles of Whole Foods intently scouring the shelves. I love finding a new health product or trend and throwing it into my basket without a second thought. And when it comes time to pay at the checkout, I proudly leave the store swinging my bag full of goodies, and if I’m honest; I even get a little rush.
But I also write about food trends for a living, and it can seem at times like there’s a new health food in town every week. And you know what? It gets pretty pricey always buying new products, and sometimes the price tag is just as large as the hype surrounding it. And yet we hand over our money and buy into the trends because we’re told its good for us and we all want to feel like the Goddess of health. Am I right?
Well, I’m not an advocate for waste, in fact, sometimes I’m a damn right hoarder; but the times that these pricey products have expired and lined the inside of my garbage bin makes me wonder, why do I buy into them? I have my faithful favorites, and they work, and so I don’t really need to be adding to them every week. So to help you stop spending a fortune (and myself too), looking to find the products that work, I’ve listed eight items that are ALWAYS worth the price tag.
1. COLLAGEN PEPTIDES
Collagen is a huge trend this year; everyone seems to be raving about it, whether it’s collagen beauty drinks or collagen skincare—collagen is on our radar. And collagen is pretty important, especially when the majority of our body (skin and bones, too) is made from it. And collagens benefits range from glowing skin and shiny hair to a healthy digestive system. Collagen peptides are a protein powder derived from pasture-raised, grass-fed animals and are super easy to consume; you can slip the powder into everything from coffee to a smoothie or soup.
2. AVOCADO OIL
For so long it seemed like the world was obsessed with coconut oil. From my skincare to my food, coconut oil was a daily use. Until I learned that people are trading in coconuts for avocado! t. Avocado oil is great for roasting veggies, can be used in baking, and the best part? It’s hella healthy!
Due to avocado technically being a fruit, it actually qualifies as one of the highest-fat fruits to exist, with over 3/4 of its calories coming from fat. While this may have some people running away from the F bomb, it’s important to know that the fat in avocado oil is mostly a monounsaturated fat, and can work to reduce inflammation. There’s also been a little debate over whether coconut is actually healthy for the heart, whereas avocado oil has consistency shown only positive effects for heart health thanks to those monounsaturated fats; avocado oil is even hailed for being a cholesterol-lowering food.
3. SOURDOUGH BREAD
I love my bread. I don’t want to live in a world where bread doesn’t exist. However, I used to find that bread bloated me and made me sluggish, so I switched over to sourdough after reading that it didn’t irritate the gut in the same way that other grains do, and I was converted. Sourdough feels so wonderfully indulgent, whether you’re having toast or a sandwich, and tastes superb. While you can typically run to the local shop and buy a loaf for a few dollars, sourdough can seem pricey; sourdough bread takes a longer period of time to both rise and ferment then other yeast-risen breads on the market, which is why it costs more. So while you may be paying a little bit extra, it’s great for health, and you can’t really put a price on that, can you?
4. HIGH QUALITY OIL + VINEGAR
If you’ve ever shopped for a higher quality olive oil or vinegar, you probably have noticed that both can be extremely expensive. But with a higher price tag comes the knowledge that it’s much better for your health than those salad dressings you’ll buy for a couple of dollars at the supermarket. Cheaper dressings are usually laden with sugar and fat, and are used to coat a salad rather than enhance it. Instead, invest in a higher quality olive oil or vinegar, and use these to dress your salad. Add a squeeze of lemon and you’re all set. A little goes a long way and it will truly enhance your greens without slathering them in unnecessary calories. Note: One of the biggest salad nemesis around is canola oil, so be on the lookout for this hidden ingredient that is inflammatory and unhealthy.
5. PASTURE-RAISED EGGS
If you’re someone that can’t go without their daily dose of scrambled egg, then make sure that the eggs you buy are pasture-raised and from a reputable source. These eggs will cost you more, but you really can’t put a price upon eggs that have come from humanely treated chickens. Pasture-raised eggs have higher levels of vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, and they’ll likely taste better. Try finding a local farmers market and buy your eggs there instead of at the supermarket. Plus, usually the name brand eggs come in styrofoam and we all know the toll that has on our environment. Consciously produced eggs should come in cardboard cartons.
6. BPA-FREE CANNED GOODS
While many us actively seek BPA-free options for water, the same can’t be said for our canned goods. It may seem excessive to pay the extra when it comes to BPA-free canned goods, but its worth the small expense. Canned foods that don’t have a BPA-free lining can contain all kinds of chemicals and have been linked to health conditions such as heart disease, cancers, developmental problems and can even cause a lower sperm count in men. So when it comes to a few cents more, the price is 100% worth it.
7. MATCHA TEA
Matcha lattes replaced my love of coffee some time ago after a visit to Hong Kong, where I tried my very first green tea latte and fell in love. Not only did it taste great, I was pleased to replace my coffee addiction; I was drinking up to 4-5 cups daily, my sleep pattern wasn’t the greatest, and my attention span was short. I started drinking green tea, and then moved over to matcha, and I never looked back. Green tea is mostly an infusion of the leaves in water, whereas when you make matcha, it dissolves the leaves instead. When this happens, you receive all of those wonderful benefits directly. Matcha can not only boost your metabolism, but the high levels of antioxidants go a long way in preventing inflammation. So while you may look at the price of matcha and wonder whether the price tag is worth it, IT IS. And once you have your first matcha latte, you’ll never, ever look back.
8. THE ‘DIRTY DOZEN’
When it comes to fruit and veggies you don’t always need to splurge on organic produce, although it is advisable if you have the funds and the access to organic produce. But if there are just some foods you always buy organic, then it needs to be the dirty dozen! These are 12 fruits and veggies that have been singled out as having the highest volume of pesticide residues on them. So, what are they? In order: strawberries, spinach, nectarines, apples, peaches, celery, grapes, pears, cherries, tomatoes, sweet bell peppers and tomatoes. So, while they may cost you a little bit extra when you shop, it’s definitely worth doing so when it comes to your health. Who really wants to be chowing down on gross pesticides and toxins?
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