Certain foods are better for your health than others, and some foods are just unhealthy to eat because they contribute to health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, that can lead to a stroke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the number one killer of adults living in America annually, and stroke is the third highest cause of death. To help protect yourself from health conditions such as these, learn which foods are the least healthy for you and keep your intake of these foods to a minimum.
Sugary Foods
Some foods raise your blood glucose level, so you want to cut down on the consumption of these foods to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. Sugar is one of these foods, but other types of sweeteners that are added to the foods you buy in a store should be limited as well. Check the ingredients before you indulge in a product to make sure it does not contain unhealthy sugars. Some unhealthy sugars to look for include corn sweetener and corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, dextrose and fructose. Food products that contain unhealthy sugars include desserts, candy, fruits in syrup, fruit beverages and soda.
Foods with Excess Sodium
An excess amount of salt in your diet can raise your blood pressure and your chances of having a stroke or heart attack. Some foods you find on store shelves and some of the foods you get in restaurants contain a high amount of sodium. Check the sodium content of packaged foods by looking at the food product label to see how much salt these foods contain. Consider what the amount of sodium is per serving to make sure it is below the total amount of sodium you take in on a given day. If you are eating out, get information on the sodium content of your food from your waitress. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults should not go over the recommended amount of 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day, and adults whose blood pressure is high, adults who are 40 years old and over, and African Americans should not go over the recommended amount of 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day.
Foods That Contain Unhealthy Fats
Foods that contain high amounts of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol can be bad for your health since these foods can result in clogged arteries from an accumulation of plaque. Meats with a lot of fat on them and whole milk food products contain saturated fat. Butter, store-bought cakes and cookies, mayonnaise and oils such as coconut and palm contain saturated fat as well. Store-bought cakes and cookies may also contain trans fats. Store-made pie, crackers and chips contain trans fats, too. Foods that contain cholesterol include liver, chicken, pork, whole milk products and frozen yogurt.
References
- Womenshealth.gov: Staying Active and Eating Healthy
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Heart Disease in Women
- Womenshealth.gov: Heart Healthy Eating
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Most Americans Should Consume Less Sodium
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure
