Choosing the right foods can make a considerable difference in your overall health, but avoiding the right foods can also be beneficial. Healthy eating is not only about including healthy foods, it is also about excluding the unhealthy. By limiting and even avoiding some of the more unhealthy foods available, you can improve your health and lower your risk of some chronic conditions and diseases.
Whole Milk Products
Unless you are a young child who needs high amounts of calories and fat in your diet, whole milk and many of the products made with whole milk are not generally considered to be part of a healthy diet. Whole milk contains considerable amounts of saturated fat, cholesterol and calories. All of which can raise your blood cholesterol levels, induce unwanted weight gain, contribute to increased blood pressure and raise your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Avoid whole milk and the products made with whole milk such as full-fat cheese, ice cream and some yogurts.
Sugary Beverages
Beverages containing high amounts of sugar, such as sugary soda, juices, sugary sports drinks, sweet teas and sugary coffee drinks, are not part of a healthy diet. The high sugar content in these drinks can cause unwanted weight gain. It is easy to drink a considerable amount of calories without knowing it when you drink beverages rich in sugar. In addition, sugar is a culprit of high triglyceride levels, which can increase your risk of heart disease. Also, drinking sugary beverages can increase your risk of tooth decay.
Trans Fats
Trans fats are generally found in foods such as processed baked goods, sweets, some margarines, some fast food and forms of vegetable shortening. Even in small amounts, trans fats raise your bad cholesterol and lower your good. According to the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, cited in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," 30,000 deaths in the United States every year can be attributed to the effects of consuming trans fats. Avoid foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oil to reduce your trans fat intake.
Processed Meats
Processed meats include hot dogs, bologna, bacon, sausage and deli meats. Processed meats contain high amounts of saturated fat, cholesterol and calories. These are not necessary for a healthy diet, and any healthy nutrients in these foods do not generally outweigh the potential health risks. According to the American Cancer Society, limiting your intake of processed meats can help reduce your risk of developing colon and prostate cancer. Also, by avoiding these meats, you can reduce your risks of heart disease.
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