Losing weight is no one-day job, and we have all tried shedding kilos at some point in life. Over time, we opt for various hacks, tweak our diet regime, and work out rigorously. Another thing many of us adapt is to follow a certain trend. If you scroll through the internet, you will come across various trends on how to lose weight quickly. One such claim is by replacing your regular biscuits with digestive ones. We bet you all have bought these biscuits while working towards your weight loss goals. But have you ever double-checked the claims made by these biscuit brands? Nutritionist Richa Gangani says digestive biscuits are a "scam." You read that right!
The health expert recently took to Instagram to share a post explaining her statement and also gave away certain healthy alternatives to munch on, instead of the digestive biscuits. Let's take you through.
Also Read: Delicious Homemade Almond Cookies Recipe: Better Than Store-Bought Biscuits
What Are Digestive Biscuits?
As per the description of the product by various brands, these are cookies made with atta, brown sugar, vegetable oil, etc., that are semi-sweet and crumbly and help reduce cravings by satiating your hunger pangs. According to certain product descriptions, digestive biscuits contain baking soda - bicarbonate that is known to act as an antacid for heartburn, indigestion, and other associated health troubles. But the question here remains - exactly how much bicarbonate do these biscuits contain? Richa Gangani states, "Digestive biscuits are actually the disguised devils of today's highly processed foods."
Why Are Digestive Biscuits Considered Unhealthy?
Explaining the statement, the nutritionist points out three major factors that make digestive biscuits unhealthy. Let's check them out:
Reason 1: Digestive biscuits contain a hidden bunch of sugar, fats, sodium, palm or vegetable oil, and refined flour, which give them a crumbly texture and add excess calories to your diet.
Reason 2: A digestive biscuit typically consists of a minimum of 50 calories. They are mostly made of 80% maida (refined flour) and just 20% oats and other healthy grains.
Reason 3: The unhealthy calories from sugars, flour, and sodium regrettably deteriorate your health and lead to weight gain, instead of weight loss.
Also Read: Do You Eat Chai Biscuit Every Morning? Here's Why You Should Stop
5 Healthy Alternatives For Digestive Biscuits You Must Include In Your Diet:
In the next segment, Richa Gangani also shared some food options that could be great for your overall health.
1. Nuts:
A handful of nuts could be a great option for healthy snacking. They contain amino acids that help burn fat and are packed with protein and fibre for higher fat metabolism.
2. Seasonal fruits:
Some seasonal fruits load you with vitamin C and antioxidants, while some help increase the feeling of fullness. And most importantly, almost every fruit is low in calories - all these factors come together to help the body function smoothly and promote weight loss.
3. Mixed seeds:
By now, we all know that seeds are superfoods, which help you lose weight effectively. Besides, they are high in nutrients, including omega-3, fibre, vitamins, minerals, and protein, which help maintain a balance in your body and promote weight loss.
4. Roasted makhana:
Makhana is rich in protein and fibre, which increase satiety, reduce hunger, and promote metabolism - all of which help promote weight loss.
5. Roasted chana:
Chana contains almost every essential nutrient our body needs to stay healthy. Roasting makes chana a great snack to stay full for a long time and eat fewer meals.
Now that you know all about digestive biscuits and their impact on health, we suggest reconsidering your diet plan and including healthier alternatives to stay fit. But remember, have everything in moderation to enjoy the goodness.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
About Somdatta SahaExplorer- this is what Somdatta likes to call herself. Be it in terms of food, people or places, all she craves for is to know the unknown. A simple aglio olio pasta or daal-chawal and a good movie can make her day.