Dr. Mehmet Oz is a positive role model for millions who is known to practice what he preaches. Dr. Oz is an actively practicing heart surgeon who wants to reach people before they get to the point of needing his surgical services, and he does that through his television show, "The Dr. Oz Show," and his bestselling books, including "You: The Owner's Manual." With his engaging style of educational entertainment, Dr. Oz teaches about fitness, obesity, chronic disease prevention and healthy eating. There are certain foods he wants you to avoid for good health.
Saturated Fat
Dr. Oz says to stay away from egg-and-cheese biscuits, pepperoni pizza and fried fish. They're loaded with saturated fat, which elevates your level of harmful LDL cholesterol and raises your risk of cardiovascular disease. Saturated fat is found mainly in animal products, such as lard, butter and full-fat milk and cheese. Coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil are plant sources of saturated fats.
Trans Fat
Dr. Oz wants you to avoid trans fat, a type of fat created through a process that turns an oil from a liquid to a solid at room temperature. Trans fats are also called hydrogenated oils, and are added to foods to increase shelf life. Trans fats are even more harmful to your health than saturated fats, and are linked with heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other chronic diseases. Trans fats lurk in some fried foods, snack foods, commercially made baked goods, margarine and restaurant foods.
Sugar
Dr. Oz says you should shun sugar. When you eat sugar, it causes a rapid spike in your blood sugar and insulin levels, followed by a blood sugar crash which leaves you hungry and tired. Foods that contain fiber and fat slow down the absorption of sugar. Replace simple sugars with complex carbohydrates for better blood sugar control and a longer-lasting feeling of fullness.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup
Put down that ice-cold glass of sugary soda, because it contains high-fructose corn syrup, a sweetener Dr. Oz says not to eat. High-fructose corn syrup is processed differently than regular cane sugar in your body. It disrupts natural appetite control by blocking leptin, a hormone that controls your brain's ability to recognize how much body fat you have and tell you to stop eating. You'll get the 150 calories in the soda, plus more from what you eat due to an increased appetite. Read food labels to avoid high-fructose corn syrup, which is found in many foods and drinks.
References
- Oprah; Food Hall of Shame...and Fame; Dr. Mehmet Oz; January 01, 2006
- "The New York Times"; Dr. Does-It-All; Frank Bruni; April 16, 2010
- The Dr. Oz Show: Dr. Oz's Most Wanted: 6 Worst Meals in America
- Harvard Scool of Publlic Health: Fats and Cholesterol: Out with the Bad, In with the Good
- DiabetesHealth; The Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup; Christopher R. Mohr, M.S., R.D., L.D.N.; August 20, 2008
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