Unhealthy Food & Its Effect On Health

Unhealthy food can upset your metabolic balance, damage your arteries and make you gain weight. Foods that are generally considered bad for you are those with large proportions of nutrients that cause physical problems if you consume more than you need. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the American Heart Association agree that saturated fat, trans fat, dietary cholesterol, sodium and sugar can have such detrimental effects. Foods with poor nutrient profiles include fast foods, frozen and canned foods, refined-grain products and regular carbonated beverages.

Fast Foods

Saturated fat and cholesterol overwhelm the beneficial vitamins and minerals in most fast foods. Tacos, double hamburgers, fried shrimp and chicken fillet and breakfast sandwiches all contain over 45 percent of the recommended daily value of saturated fat and/or cholesterol, as per USDA guidelines. These solid fats contribute to atherosclerosis, or clogged arteries, and weight gain, two major risk factors for heart disease.

Frozen and Canned Entrees

Solid fats are present in many frozen dinner entrees and side dishes. Sodium levels are also a concern. The Food and Drug Administration considers content of 20 percent or more per serving high in sodium. Frozen chicken pot pies and turkey dinners, as well as canned chicken, bean, beef noodle, clam chowder, tomato, mixed vegetable and chili con carne soups all have levels of sodium that can raise your blood pressure. High-blood pressure can lead to strokes, heart attacks, aneurysms and kidney failure.

Commercial Baked Goods

Trans fat is a solid fat present in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, which are often used in commercial baked goods such as boxed doughnuts, crackers, croutons and frozen pie crusts. Foods sold in more than one state are required to list trans fat amounts on the package, but in-house supermarket bakeries may not have to disclose the trans fat content of their pastries, cookies and buns. The American Heart Association advises eating as little as possible of this solid fat, which contributes to the development of atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Soda Pop

Sodas have high amounts of sugar and no nutritional value. Frequent soda consumption added to the rest of the foods that you eat can cause weight gain, a major risk factor for serious diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Additionally, replacing milk in your diet with soda may reduce your daily intake of calcium, a mineral essential for bone and teeth health.