Did you know that MANY foods you are eating are killing you slowly?
What are the RISKS ? Well, some of these foods lead to high blood pressure problems, high cholesterol rate, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and even in worst cases cancer. Obesity , anxiety and depression are also typical problems that comes with it.
So, without any further delay, Here’s the list of 20 foods that are killing you slowly. Try to avoid it or limit the intake of it as much as you can.
20. Salt
Salt has a big role in regulation of our blood pressure. If you having too much salt in your food, this will lead to high blood pressure and will increase risk of cardiovascular disease, which is one of the important causes of death in the world. But, you don’t need to cut out all salt as your body still needs it, just limit the amount you are taking and watch out for sodium levels in processed foods. 3.75 grams of sodium per day is a sufficient and safe amount. Above 6 grams is when serious health problems start.
19. Commercial Fruit Juices
If you believe the big flashy labels that say 100% fruit, then you are totally WRONG. Commercial fruit juice is among products that often contains high amounts of added sugar, coloring, preservatives, and it can lose its nutrients during pasteurization. So What Alternatives? The best is finding a trusted local juice factory or making your own fruit juice at home.
18. Breakfast Cereals
We blame it on the marketing. Breakfast cereals aren’t harmless as their happy cheerful colors and toys inside the box might suggest. They actually contain sugar in big quantities, artificial coloring, preservatives, GMO products, and they’re often stripped of the nutrients they had before processing. Alternative? Try oatmeal with some fresh or dried fruit instead. It tastes great, and it’s actually good for you.
17. Wheat
Wheat contains a carbohydrate that suddenly and greatly increases your blood sugar levels. This triggers high insulin production and weight gain. Over time, your pancreas will become overworked and you’ll become insulin resistant, and then you can get diabetes. And high blood sugar levels trigger the production of compounds that speed up the aging process and give you wrinkled skin. So you’ll age faster and be prone to diabetes, which in itself is a big issue.
16. Fast Food
Fast food tastes good! it’s fairly inexpensive! and it’s everywhere! But what makes it taste so good? It’s the same things that are slowly killing you: trans-fats, sugar, salt, preservatives, additives, dyes, and other chemicals that enhance the looks and the taste of this food. Fast food can affect your risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, mood disorders, weight gain, metabolic disorders, etc. So at least try to limit consuming fast food.
15. Energy Bars
Energy bars might be necessary for athletes who need a burst of energy, but if you are not an athlet, try to avoid these tasty calorie bombs. Energy bars contain a lot of sugar (Always sugar problems), high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, and can contain trans-fats. So basically, it is full of calories, sugar, and artificial ingredients.
14. Barbecued Meats
Nobody can resist to a smell of barbecue, but please try to limit it. Chemicals that enter the meat during the process are associated with risk of pancreatic cancer and breast cancer.But, If you can’t resist, consider adding some rosemary to your barbecued hamburger to reduce the amount and number of carcinogens.
13. Dairy
Milk is the first food we eat when we come into this world. But a mother’s milk is much different than a cow’s mother’s milk. In addition, as we age, we develop lactose intolerance. Dairy products are linked with low nutrient absorption, migraines, arthritis, cancer, allergies, and asthma. So again, forget about those clever marketing tricks. Switch to coconut milk or almond milk, it tastes great and it won’t slowly kill you like cow milk.
12. White Bread, Refined Flours
You all say Grains are good, So bread must be good too? Well, No not if it’s white bread made from refined flours. White flour is stripped of all the nutritional fiber, minerals, and vitamins, and all you get is grain waste mixed with chemicals to achieve the nice white color. But behind it lies the risk of weight gain, thyroid damage, and organ damage. Alternative? Go whole grain !
11. Alcohol
Many will disagree, but alcohol has no health benefits. It’s extremely high in calories, can cause dehydration, liver damage, weight gain, depression, and skin problems. Not to mention the bad decisions you make when under the influence. So, if you want to damage all your systems, from the brain to liver to skin, believe the marketing and drink alcohol daily.
10. Artificial Sweeteners
These are as the same as sugar. In fact, they’re even worse. Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, neotame, acesulfame potassium, etc. might contain fewer calories, but they can still increase the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome. You may not have noticed but many sugar-free gums contain aspartame, which is considered the most dangerous substance in the world. Sugar has healthy alternatives such as honey, maple syrup, and agave syrup, to name a few.
9. Bottled Salad Dressings
Bottled salad dressings are full of sugar, artificial colors, and high fructose corn syrup. Once you drown your salad in this nutritional disaster, you might as well eat a bag of potato chips or a hot dog instead. Drop the bottled salad dressings, and use lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar along with some olive oil for a healthy salad dressing.
8. Potato Chips
Deep fried food contains a dangerous substance called acrylamide. Potato chips are no exception. Acrylamide increases the risk of colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and rectum cancer. So avoid the potato chips or make a healthier version at home. Put a little olive oil on sliced potatoes, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and bake it in your oven. It’s way better!
7. Hot Dogs
Hot dogs and salted meat contain lots of preservatives that are bad for your health. But the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine compared the effects of eating hot dogs to the effects of smoking cigarettes. If you’re not convinced yet, you should know that hot dogs are high in sodium and toxins that increase your risk of cancer. If you can’t resist, at least make sure you get your dogs chemical-free from organic butchers or directly from farmers.
6. Margarine
Marketing again is to blame for the BIG misconception about margarine. It’s not healthy at all! It’s one of the unhealthiest foods that you are eating. Margarine is like a very bad version of butter that is made out of hydrogenated vegetable oils. This process is pure chemistry, but what is so bad about it? Well, It is the trans fats that can damage your heart, blood vessels, and mess up your cholesterol levels. Switch to butter for a healthier alternative, or olive oil and avocado oil that you can spread on your bread, and tastes way better!
5. Vegetable Oil
Oil is an important ingredient in your kitchen. But some of these oils are GMO and the biggest risk about it is that till now, we have no idea what long-term effects these products can have. Furthermore, vegetable oils contain dangerous trans-fats that can lead to cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. If the oil is refined, avoid it as it contains free radicals that can develop cancer growth, speed up aging, and cause all kinds of trouble. Alternatives? Any other healthy oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil.
4. Deli Meats
Salami, Ham, Bologna, etc. are full of nitrates, sodium, preservatives, and additives. All these substances can increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and even behavioral problems and learning difficulties for children. To decrease the negative effects, opt for deli meats from your local butcher instead of those from supermarkets.
3. Sugar
If you have a sweet tooth, there are much healthier ways to satisfy your cravings. Sugar is highly addictive, and other than spiking your glucose levels and creating fat, it can lead to heart disease. Avoid sugar as much as you can to decrease the risk of diabetes, cancer, obesity, heart disease. Alternatives, Enjoy a bowl of fruit or add honey to your recipes instead of sugar.
2. Soda
Carbonated drinks or sodas are one of your worst enemies. They can mess up everything, from your skin, blood sugar levels, to your hormones and mood. Forget the marketing and the labels that say it’s good for you or it contains nutrients or vitamins. All it has is a bunch of sugar, food dyes and preservatives. And sugar-free versions are no better as they’re packed with harmful artificial sweeteners. Buy a blender or a juice maker and make your own juice, please. And if you miss the bubbles, you can always add your homemade fruit juice to some sparkly water.
1. Canned Tomato Sauce
And the last one, the less expected : Canned tomato sauce is a killer in disguise. It’s a hidden source of sugar and it would never even cross your mind that it could lead to increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even tooth decay. To avoid these issues, use fresh tomatoes to make the sauce yourself, or switch to pureed tomatoes without the extra sugar or salt and add your own spices. Or at least go for brands with less sugar and sodium.