If you're looking to improve your health, there are certain foods you should avoid. Processed foods are often high in unhealthy additives, sodium, and sugar. Deep-fried foods are also detrimental to your health, as they're often high in unhealthy fats. Alcohol can also be detrimental to your health, particularly if consumed in excess. Here are some specific foods to avoid if you're looking to stay healthy.
Processed Meats
The processed meat industry is a multi-billion dollar a year business. The meats that are processed include: hot dogs, bacon, ham, sausage, and lunch meats. These meats are high in fat and sodium, and have been linked to cancer and other health problems.
Processed meats are typically high in fat and sodium. A typical hot dog, for example, contains about 75% of its calories from fat. And a ham sandwich can have as much as 300 mg of sodium – that’s more than 1/3 of the recommended daily intake.
These meats are also often treated with chemicals, such as nitrates and nitrites, which have been linked to cancer. In fact, the World Health Organization has classified processed meats as “carcinogenic to humans.”
So, if you’re looking to stay healthy, it’s best to avoid processed meats. Instead, opt for leaner, healthier proteins like chicken, fish, or tofu.
Refined Grains
There are a few different types of refined grains, but the general consensus is that they’re not good for you. Refined grains have been stripped of their bran and germ, which leaves them with less fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They’re also typically higher on the glycemic index, which means they can cause spikes in blood sugar levels. For these reasons, it’s best to avoid refined grains and choose whole grains instead.
Added Sugars
There are many foods that we consume on a daily basis that contain high levels of added sugar. These foods include, but are not limited to, soda, candy, cake, and cookies. While sugar itself is not necessarily bad for you, consuming too much of it can lead to a number of health problems. For example, too much sugar can cause weight gain, tooth decay, and diabetes. It is important to be aware of the sugar content in the foods you eat and to limit your intake of added sugar. There are many healthy alternatives to sugary snacks and drinks that can help you stay on track with your health goals.
Trans Fats
Trans fats are one of the unhealthiest fats you can eat. They’re created when manufacturers add hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them solid. This process, called “hydrogenation,” increases the shelf life of foods made with these oils.
Trans fats raise your “bad” (LDL) cholesterol levels and lower your “good” (HDL) cholesterol levels. This increases your risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.
Trans fats are found in many processed foods, such as:
* Packaged baked goods, such as cookies, crackers, and pastries
* Fried foods, such as doughnuts and french fries
* Margarine and other types of vegetable shortening
* Prepared frostings
To avoid trans fats, check food labels for “partially hydrogenated oils.” Even if a food doesn’t contain partially hydrogenated oils, it may still contain unhealthy trans fats if it’s been made with hydrogenated oils.
The best way to avoid trans fats is to eat mostly fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. When you do eat processed foods, choose those made with “fully hydrogenated oils” or “no trans fats.”
Excessive Salt
Consuming too much salt can lead to serious health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and fluid retention. Most Americans consume more salt than they need, and it’s not just from the salt shaker. Processed foods, such as lunch meats, pizza, and canned soups, are often high in salt. Even bread can be a significant source of salt. To reduce your salt intake, avoid processed foods and read labels carefully. When cooking, use herbs and spices to flavor food instead of salt.