An endocrinologist has listed a number of foods she says she would never eat. Alessia Roehnelt is a doctor specialising in endocrinology, meaning she deals with glands and hormones.
Dr Roehnelt also said she focuses on boosting health ‘naturally’, so diet forms a crucial part of her approach. She explained why there are a number of foods she would advise against eating – and some of them might come as a surprise.
She said: “As an endocrinologist who focuses on optimizing health naturally, I’m very intentional about what I eat. I prioritize foods that support hormonal balance, metabolic health, and longevity—and I avoid those that disrupt these processes. Here are three things I would never eat
“Ultra-Processed Plant-Based Meat. Many plant-based meat alternatives are marketed as “healthy,” but they’re often filled with inflammatory seed oils, additives, and synthetic ingredients that can negatively impact hormone health. Instead, I prefer whole-food protein sources like grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish, pasture-raised eggs, or organic legumes.
“Artificial Sweeteners (Aspartame, Sucralose, etc.) Many people think they’re making a “healthy” choice by swapping sugar for artificial sweeteners, but these can disrupt gut health, spike insulin levels, and increase cravings. If I want something sweet, I opt for natural alternatives like raw honey or maple syrup.
“Breakfast Cereals. Most cereals, even the ones labeled “healthy” or “whole grain,” are loaded with refined carbohydrates, artificial flavors, and hidden sugars that spike blood sugar and increase insulin resistance. Instead, I start my day with protein-rich, nutrient-dense options like eggs, Greek yogurt, or a smoothie with healthy fats and fibre.”
More than half of the calories consumed by the average Brit are made up of ultra-processed foods, even though we know they are not a healthy option for us. Examples include ham, sausages, crisps, mass-produced bread, and some breakfast cereals.
Plant-based meat is often made up of ingredients such as soy, pea, wheat gluten, pulses, or jackfruit.. It can also include added salt, artificial colours, flavors, and processing aids to generate a “meat-like” sensory appeal.
And there is no guarantee that they are healthier than meat, despite having ‘plant’ in the title. One 2021 study compared the nutrient intake of those who followed a traditional omnivore (meat-eating) diet, flexitarian/vegetarian diets that include traditional plant-based proteins like beans and nuts, and flexitarian/vegetarian diets that include plant-based meat alternatives like meatless bacon, researchers found significant differences among those who included these plant-based meat items.
Specifically, they found that those who consumed plant-based meats fell below the daily requirements for calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin B12. Plus, those eating these foods exceeded the reference values for sugar, saturated fat and sugar. This group did consume more fibre than the meat-eaters.
Unlike those following a diet replacing meat with plant-based meats, those who replaced meat with plant-based protein sources like legumes, nuts, and soy beans met all daily micronutrient requirements.