You are probably aware of which foods are healthy and which ones you should eat regularly. But you might be confused about makes a food unhealthy or bad for you. Consuming unhealthy foods can adversely affect your health; it can result in difficult digestion, nutrient deficiencies, stress on the body, toxic reactions and ultimately the increased risk of disease. For optimum health, avoid the unhealthiest foods.
Refined Sugar
Refined sugar is the primary ingredient in many snack foods, such as baked goods, white bread, crackers, drink mixes, soft drinks, cereals, ice cream and other processed foods. Refined sugars will quickly raise your blood sugar level, causing the release of insulin before dropping off. This will leave you feeling tired and still hungry.
Trans Fat
Trans fat foods include partially hydrogenated oil, margarine, commercial baked goods, potato chips and fried foods, such as doughnuts. Trans fats are artificial fats created from hydrogen ions which react with oil. This type of fat is beneficial to manufacturers as it prolongs shelf life. It is however termed a bad fat because it adversely affects your health by increasing cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease.
Processed Meat
Avoid lunch meat, sausage, bacon, hot dogs and other highly processed meat products. Eating processed meats will help your waistline grow and increase your risk of stomach or colon cancer due to the high content of preservatives called nitrates. High in fat, calories and sodium, these foods are unhealthy.
Caffeine
Drinks containing caffeine include coffee, black tea, soda and cocoa. Caffeine is a stimulant and can become mildly addicting. Some of these beverages contain 150 calories and more than 10 tbsp. of sugar per serving, with soft drinks being the worst. Drinking caffeinated sodas or energy drinks provides you with no nutritional value, simply empty calories, which have been linked to obesity and cavities.
Dairy
Avoid products made with whole milk, and choose low-fat or fat-free instead. Cut out processed cheese and cream products such as full-fat cheese spread, cream cheese, sour cream, cream sauces, whipping cream and ice cream. These items are rich in calories, cholesterol and unhealthy fat
High Fructose Corn Syrup
High fructose corn syrup was developed because of its ease of use, low cost, color and because it maintains its sweetness. Many foods contain high fructose corn syrup, including soft drinks, baking products, condiments, bread, cereal, cough syrup, prepared sauces, ice cream, salad dressings, soups and snack foods. Rich in simple sugars, high fructose corn syrup is readily converted to fat, yet it is not easily metabolized by your liver. It is a risk factor for obesity, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancer and coronary heart disease.
Sodium
Many foods contain added sodium, in a number of different forms from table salt to monosodium glutamate. Your body needs some sodium to function properly, but only in small amounts. The typical American diet is abundant in sodium. Excess sodium can lead to edema, bloating and even high blood pressure. Condiments, processed cheese and meats, snack foods and especially canned or instant soups are loaded with salt.
Saturated Fat
Red meat, butter, stick margarine, coconut and palm oil, eggs, french fries, poultry skin and some seafood are sources of high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol. Saturated fats are solid at room temperature and are typically more stable. Consuming these foods regularly will put you at an increased risk of variety of health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, obesity and arthritis.
Artificial Sweeteners
In an attempt to reduce the intake of table sugar, you might choose artificial sweeteners. However, artificial sweeteners are not whole foods, but rather manufactured products with no nutritive value. Examples of these sweeteners include aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-K, sucralose, and sorbitol. Found in sugar-free baked goods, chewing gum, gelatin, candy and diet drinks, these products have been linked to many adverse effects. Dizziness, diarrhea, headache, hallucinations and cancer of the uterus, blood vessels, skin, ovaries or bladder may result.
Alcohol
Alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant, providing you with a relaxed and tranquilized effect. It slows down physical processes and mental alertness. These drinks provide no nutritive value other than empty calories.
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