Keep off these nutritionally empty five foods
One who is health conscious makes an endless notes of fried snacks and sweets to not gorge upon but what about those foods which are laden with sodium, fats, sugars and other unsavory ingredients? Take a tour through such unhealthy foods that you would rather avoid seeing how they are bad for your body. Not only do they have zero nutritional value, but they also give your body an unhealthy dose of toxins, which should make the idea of eating them really hard to swallow.
French fries
With the mushrooming of fast food joints, French fries have befriended the taste buds more than ever. The problem with fries is not just the unhealthy trans-fats and calories load, but also how easy it is to gobble too much at one go. They tend to dominate palate to such an extent that one may not try to entertain other vegetables. Also, frying leads to the loss of valuable vitamin C, a nutrient found abundant in raw potato, thereby making it nutritionally deficient. It is advisable to bake them to retain the fun of munching but in limits for sure.
Sweetened drinks
Almost all hype around the health risks that soda possesses is sadly true. Drinking soda or cola increases the odd of developing diabetes type-2 considerably. One can of soda contains 10 teaspoons of sugar in the form of high fructose corn syrup adding to 150 calories, 55 mg of caffeine, artificial food colors and sulphites. With these empty calories and lack of nutrients these drinks are completely nutritionally deficient. Consumption of these can make one fall to bear cavities, obesity, lowering of bone density leading to osteoporosis. Fruit drinks too are just as bad as soda. Scientists say that they too are not made of 100 percent juice; their nutritional worth is as low as soda. Thus, there is not a single good reason to relish them. One must stop these drinks and prefer having fresh fruit and vegetable juices, milk and water to fulfill liquid desire.
Processed meat
Processed meat refers to meat that has been preserved by smoking, curing, salting or adding preservatives. Examples include bacon, sausage, hot dogs, sandwich meat, packaged ham, pepperoni, salami and virtually all red meat used in frozen prepared meals. Multiple research claims that processed meat such as hot dog, bologna can cause diabetes, heart disease and colon cancer. Hot dogs for example are loaded with sodium, fat and nitrates which have been linked to cancer. Also these packed meats are artificially coated with nitrates to make them appear red and fresh. To get maximum benefits of nutrients that meat possesses one should always prefer fresh meat.
White bread
No doubt with its easy availability and easy incorporation into easiest recipes, the intake of breads is very popular in the form of sandwiches, bread pakodas, bread chats, etc.However, It is no more a secret that white breads are hopelessly deficient in fiber and high in sugars and sodium. Maida or flour being the main ingredient of breads makes it a strict no for intake. Maida is known to be nutritionally nil in its content and main cause of constipation, indigestion, etc. Breads when consumed take longer time to digest thus giving bloated feeling. The trans-fats involved are also responsible for causing obesity, heart problems, diabetes, etc. My advice for bread lovers is to prefer brown breads, multigrain breads, pita breads, etc.over white breads and enjoy the bread texture, aroma and sweetness.
Margarines
Margarines are made from the highly refined vegetable oils such as rapeseed, canola, etc. by the hydrogenation process. These are said to be trans fats, which are toxins to the body. They are said to be one molecule away from being plastic. Including these in your diet may increase the risk of developing cancers by five folds. Coronary heart problems are said to be tripled with their intake. Margarines also deteriorate the immunity and decreases insulin response. It is advisable to spread butter or desi ghee on burgers, sandwiches, etc. rather than pouring margarines.
Organic food
The fact thus goes to consume real and organic foods and do not give away for the sake of taste buds. Be smart consumer by reading all nutritional labels approved by FDA. Your body will stay healthy and say thank you.
