It may not even be Thanksgiving yet, but the holiday season is upon us and with it the specter of 2025 looms on the horizon with its new year’s resolutions and motivational goals.

If you want to get ahead, four nutrition experts shared: news week The most preferred foods to throw away during the year-end kitchen renovation.

1. Protein Bars and Shakes

First, all four experts agreed that ultra-processed protein bars and shakes should be phased out by 2024.

Jamie Maitland, certified holistic nutritionist and author The 21-Day Reset Cookbooksaid news week: “Let’s leave behind ultra-processed protein bars and shakes, especially those containing artificial sweeteners and inflammatory ingredients.”

He suggested replacing them with higher-quality options like hemp seed powder or organic, grass-fed whey.

Diet consultant nutritionist Catherine Gervacio of supplement brand WOWMD agreed, saying: “Ditch. They’re full of artificial ingredients or high in sugar. All protein sources are generally better.”

Nutritional therapist Alli Godbold from Feed Your Health went further, saying: “They’re all ultra processed foods Should be avoided: Anything with a long list of additives such as E numbers, stabilizers, preservatives, thickeners.

“Neither of these are found in fresh foods, making processed foods less nutritious and potentially harmful to gut microbes.”

Dietitian-nutritionist Mindy Haar, associate dean of the New York Institute of Technology’s School of Health Professions, said any protein powder, bar or supplement is unnecessary for most people and “goes beyond what the body needs.”

“Protein has calories and needs to be processed by the kidneys, so it doesn’t make sense to add more than you need just because ‘you’re exercising’ or ‘it’s healthy,'” he said.

2. Foods Containing ‘Natural Flavors’

As a next step, any food product that says “natural flavors” in the ingredients list is ready to go, nutritionists said.

“Despite the name, natural flavors are often just as processed as artificial flavors,” Maitland said. “They are created by ‘flavorists’: scientists hired to manipulate and manipulate flavors in the laboratory.

“While they may sound better, natural flavors can still upset your gut, stimulate appetite, and provide no real nutritional benefit.”

Gervacio agreed, explaining that “natural flavors” were not “inherently bad” but that the wording was “vague” and They may be highly processed.

While Gervacio and Haar recommend flavored yogurts for the ditch list, Gervacio cautions about added sugar and flavors.

“One serving of flavored yogurt can be equivalent to five to six additional teaspoons of sugar,” Haar said.

They both suggested trying plain yogurt with fresh fruit instead.

3. Energy Drinks

Another food that should be abandoned before next year is energy drinksAccording to nutritionists.

Gervacio said these are “generally best avoided due to high levels of caffeine, sugar and artificial ingredients that can affect heart health and sleep.”

Maitland agreed, saying energy drinks may promise a quick energy boost, but they soon come with a crash and “contain a lot of chemicals and not a lot of real nutrients.”

Godbold went a step further and said he would add all flavored sodas to his ditch list because they are “too artificial and high in sugar.”

Gervacio also said all sodas should be avoided; “regular soda for its high sugar content and diet soda for artificial sweeteners that can affect metabolism.”

Foods to Discard: A Few Extra Tips

Nutritionists haven’t always agreed with each other on lists of foods to abandon this winter, so here are a few extra suggestions to consider with a pinch of salt.

Maitland said seed oils such as canola, soybean and corn should be abandoned because they are “highly refined and high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can increase inflammation and disrupt the balance between omega-3 and omega-6.” Fats in your body.”

However, Gervacio said: “These oils are suitable if consumption is limited.”

Maitland also suggested ditching fake meat alternatives because they’re “heavily refined and loaded with additives” and “made using inflammatory ingredients and preservatives that aren’t very good for your body.”

Godbold agreed, saying he would add plant-based cheese, plant-based butter and some plant-based milk to the list, and that “it’s better to eat the real thing or find other alternatives.”

Gervacio wasn’t so sure. She said: “Some plant-based options are nutritious, but a whole-food diet with natural protein sources is ideal.”

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