10 “Healthy” Habits That Really Aren’t That Healthy

9. Light Beer

Opting for a light beer when you are out isn’t necessarily a healthier choice. Light beers are brewed to be lower in alcohol, which means that you need to drink more if you are looking to get your buzz on. More light beer means more calories.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/25/best-light-beer_n_3983628.html Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

8. Brushing After a Meal

Brushing your teeth right after a meal might sound good in theory, but it is not in practice. Research shows that brushing too soon after eating or drinking can cause dental erosion. Wait at least 30 minutes after a meal to brush so saliva can neutralize any acid in your mouth. That way you can avoid pushing the acid deeper into the enamel and dentin.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/05/brush-teeth-after-meal_n_4173794.html Source: Huffington Post

7. Fat-Free Foods

Fat-free food usually lacks flavor, so food makers typically add other ingredients, like sugar, flour, thickeners and salt to the products, which just adds more calories. Fat-free foods are also quite unsatisfying, which means that people end up eating more.

http://fitcampla.com/what-to-avoid-when-burning-fat/ Source: fitcampla.com

6. Antibacterial Soap

There is no evidence to support that antibacterial soaps are any more effective at reducing your risk of getting sick or passing on germs to other people than ordinary soaps. New data suggests that antibacterial soaps actually contain chemical ingredients like triclosan and triclocarban, which may carry unnecessary risks.

http://www.medicaldaily.com/fda-reviews-antibacterial-hand-soap-why-triclosan-bad-you-and-planet-245474 Source: www.medicaldaily.com

5. Daily Showers

Showering or bathing too frequently can dry out or irritate the skin. This is because of soap, which is designed to remove the oils from the skin. If you need to shower everyday, only use soap under your arms, in the groin area and on your feet – skip the chest, back, legs and arms. Also, use lukewarm water and keep your shower short.

http://kq98.com/index.php/kq-crew/mornings/193-do-you-really-need-to-shower-daily Source: kq98.com

4. Catching Up on Sleep

Contrary to popular belief, you can’t actually catch up on sleep. Sleeping in on weekends to make up for getting less sleep during the week won’t improve the performance of your brain. Sleep experts suggest getting a set number of hours every night and waking up at the same time everyday to adjust your body to a schedule.

http://femmepharma.com/2014/06/26/think-can-catch-sleep-think/ Source: femmepharma.com

3. Enhanced Water

Watch out for flavored water drinks like Vitamin water and Smart Water. They are usually filled with sugar and artificial sweeteners. You’ll probably get more nutrients from adding real fruit to your water instead.

http://pureproactive.com/healthy-foods-that-really-arent/ Source: pureproactive.com

2. Protein Bars

Protein bars are usually highly processed and are high in calories and sugar. If the protein bar contains more than 200 calories and eight grams of sugar, it’s more like a candy bar with some extra protein than an actual protein bar.

http://dumbbellblonde.com/protein-bars-hot-or-not/ Source: dumbbellblonde.com

1. Diet Soda

Drinking diet soda isn’t that much better than drinking regular soda drinks. Diet soda might save you calories in the short term, but there is no evidence that it prevents obesity and other related health problems.

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/diet-fitness/diet-drinks-linked-heart-disease-death-n66476 Source: www.nbcnews.com