These are the Top 10 Foods to Avoid to Live Fit and Healthy
Sometimes eating healthy is not about what you eat but about what you DO NOT eat. So here is a list of 10 not so healthy foods you should avoid to live a fitter life.
Along with each food we try and cite a study or scientific basis for why you should avoid each food. With about 2/3 of the adults and 1/3 of the children in the US listed as overweight we should probably take some notes. So lets get started with our list…
Artificial Sweetener Sugar and Sugary Drinks
Number one on the list is Sugar, you know that sweet cereal in the morning, the holiday candy cane, and soda pop. Almost 70% of the US population is over the recommended daily sugar intake. Sugar can cause cavities, can lead to diabetes, and obesity. Artificial sweeteners are not much better as they may induce one to crave sweet things.
But according to the National Cancer Institute and other health agencies, there’s no sound scientific evidence that any of the artificial sweeteners approved for use in the U.S. cause cancer or other serious health problems. And numerous research studies confirm that artificial sweeteners are generally safe in limited quantities, even for pregnant women.
But in the end we know sugar is not good for you. And artificial sweeteners are chemicals, so its best to use them in moderation, and stick to plain water for your hydration.
The Awesome Slice of Pizza
I am against Garfield the Cat on this one, despite his love for Lasagna I believe Pizza is the perfect food. But a couple of slices of Pizza can take up your daily allotment of sodium. Besides that, Pizza is high in fat, can have processed meats, and refined carbs. Pizza could be the king of the unhealthy foods. Sodium intake guidelines and how much is in Pizza can be found here.
White Bread
It does seem like bread has become such a staple in the American diet. A lot of meals start of with “free bread” or rolls. Sandwiches, hamburgers, and hot dogs are all covered with bread. And its certainly cheap at the supermarket. But it is basically all refined carbs, sugar, and sodium. So do yourself a favor and switch to 100% whole wheat whole grain bread.
A processed grain is called a refined grain. Some refined grain products have key nutrients, such as folic acid and iron, that were removed during the initial processing and added back. These are called enriched grains. White rice and white bread are enriched grain products.
Pasta
Like white bread above, pasta is also almost all refined carbs or an enriched grain product. They also can be high in sodium and require added salt to flavor while boiling. In addition, during the enriching process, folic acid is removed. Try switching to whole wheat pasta made with whole grains and low sodium.
Ice Cream
Ice cream is delicious any time of year. But in the summer it is refreshing too. But it is full of sugar, fat, and its hard to just have a little bit. Plus you can add nuts, syrups, whip cream, and sugary fruits to it to make it even more calorie rich. Its best to eat this food sparingly. Or look to switch to yogurts or make your own.
Ice cream also contains Lactose which may be intolerant to some with sensitive stomachs or allergies.
Processed Meats
These are all the salty meats laden with preservatives. They include; bacon, ham, salami, hot dogs, and other cured items. They are high in sodium and other preservatives. For every 1.8 ounces of processed meat eaten every day — the equivalent of one hot dog or two slices of bologna — the risk of cancer in the lower stomach rises by 18 percent.
Processed Foods
They are a box or bag full of chemicals. The rule of thumb is that if you cannot pronounce the words in the ingredient list you probably should not eat it. Better yet keep all processed foods to a minimum. Besides a lot of chemicals in processed foods the sodium levels seem to be the biggest problem. So much so, that the FDA, has asked food manufacturers to voluntarily lower them.
Bad Fats
Not all fats are bad. In fact some fats are essential to your bodies good health. But fat has nearly double the calories of protein and carbs. Some fast are potentially harmful and include both saturated fat and trans fat. Of the two saturated fat, which comes from animal and dairy products, is the most controversial with some studies saying its OK, and others that it is not.
But one thing we do know is that trans fat which are oils made though partial hydrogenation are bad for your heart. Instead look for good fats like Omega 3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated fatty acids.
Fried Foods
You avoid these fatty treats because they are usually fried in trans fat. And if you do not know what trans fats are then you should look above.
Sweet Desserts
Of all the things we talked about being bad for you above, desserts have most of them in them. Sugar, refined flour, sodium, butter, and more of each of them. So it is best to steer clear of these in mass and enjoy them as treats every once in a while.
These 10 foods if avoided almost all the time will lead to a healthier way of eating. Replace them with their better alternatives and live a fuller, healthier, and fit life. If you want to be “ALL WELL” then you need to eat that way.