Foods that cause irreversible damage to health named
What foods are harmful to health and should always be avoided (photo: Freepik)
Some foods can seriously affect health, causing various diseases and problems with the body. Foods in the refrigerator can become real enemies of health, so you should avoid them, reports Real simple.
Packaged cookies, cakes and biscuits
Nutritionist Mia Sin said that such products may be convenient and tasty, but they contain trans fats. Manufacturers add trans fats to extend the shelf life and improve the flavor and texture of foods cost-effectively.
There is no safe level of trans fat consumption because it can increase the risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
It is important to note that even if the package says 0 grams of trans fat, this is not always the case.
White bread and other refined cereals
Grain consists of three parts: bran, germ, and endosperm. The bran contains fiber, and the germ contains most of the nutrients. The endosperm is the starchy part of the grain, which contains most of the carbohydrates.
When a grain is processed or refined, they remove both the bran and the germ, leaving only the endosperm. This means that you have lost almost all of the fiber and nutrients, only retaining carbohydrates and calories.
This is why refined starchy foods like white bread, white rice, crackers, and bagels are low in nutritional value and lack fiber to help control blood sugar levels.
As an alternative, you should choose whole grain or sprouted bread, bagels, crackers, brown rice, or quinoa instead.
Sweetened carbonated drinks
Sweetened drinks are high in sugar and calories and have no nutritional value. It's easy to add several hundred calories from sugar by drinking one or two sodas a day.
Consumption of both sweetened and artificially sweetened soft drinks is associated with a higher risk of mortality.
Soda has many disadvantages and zero benefits. Some harmful ingredients, such as phosphoric acid, have harmful effects on teeth and high fructose corn syrup is linked to obesity.
While diet versions contain artificial sweeteners (sucralose, aspartame), which are also linked to numerous health problems.
The best choice is water. If you want something more flavorful, try tea or sparkling water with a natural fruity flavor.
Meat cooked over a fire
When meat, including beef, pork, fish, and poultry, is cooked at high temperatures or exposed to smoke, the formation of carcinogenic chemicals increases.
These chemicals are called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). They have been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
When cooking at higher temperatures, avoid prolonged cooking, and remove burnt parts before eating.
Flavored instant oatmeal
Plain oats contain zero to one gram of sugar, while flavored packets contain 11 to 14 grams of sugar.
It is worthlimiting the daily amount of added sugar to no more than 25 grams for women and 36 grams for men. In addition, instant oats have a higher glycemic index than regular oats, which means that the body will break them down faster and blood sugar levels will rise more.
Always choose plain oatmeal, and sprinkle it with fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, and spices (such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or vanilla extract) for extra flavor.
Peanut butter with reduced fat content
Peanut butter contains about 70 percent fat, but it is mostly monounsaturated fat, which is good for the heart. Therefore, you get a good source of fat-soluble vitamin E, an antioxidant important for eye, heart, and immune health.
In addition, when manufacturers remove fat from peanut butter, they usually add more salt and sugar to improve the flavor. These are additives that have no nutritional value.
Chewing candy
Consuming them will give you a lot of sugar, and in most cases, artificial colors and flavors.
Try frozen grapes instead. They are delicious, filling, and provide natural sweetness without added sugar. Frozen grapes are also super easy to make: rinse them, dry them, and lay them out. Freeze for two hours and enjoy.
Foods with sugar alcohols
Sugar alcohols such as xylitol, erythritol, sorbitol, and maltitol are often found in bars, candies, and other products labeled "sugar-free" or "no added sugar."
Sugar alcohols are partially digestible, and if consumed in large quantities, can cause indigestion and diarrhea.
Fried foods
Ordering deep-fried foods like potatoes is one of the worst things you can order when dining out at restaurants.
Frying adds calories and saturated fat to many foods. Instead, you should give preference to dishes that are boiled or steamed and contain vegetables and protein.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
