Most of us like to eat a bowl of ice cream or potato chips from time to time. Both are very tasty and can be enjoyed at any time. But when we start eating nutrient-poor foods regularly, when they become a central feature of our eating habits, we risk significant long-term health risks.
Eating should bring you joy, not a headache. The negative sentiment of food is pervasive in a society steeped in food dogmas. "I can't eat it", "I can't drink it" and the fashion "not good for health" are just some of the most commonly used phrases when it comes to food. What if everything on your list of favorite foods seems off-limits?
Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to completely overhaul your diet to achieve good health. In fact, only certain mods can contain more nutrients. In addition, there is also a space where you can taste the dishes that are close to your heart.
In this article, we'll explore foods commonly considered "unhealthy," why they can have a detrimental effect on your health, and smart choices for nourishing yourself while quelling an upset stomach.
Sweet Drinks
Everyday, 60% of children and 50% of adults report drinking sugary drinks. Sugary drinks are often identified as a particular problem because they are high in sugar and calories but low in nutrients.
While not the only risk factor for health problems, drinking sugar-sweetened drinks can lead to weight gain. Excessive consumption of sugar can also be linked to tooth decay, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
In addition, a meta-analysis found that daily consumption of sugary drinks increases the risk of death from heart disease by 8%. In fact, the more you drink, the stronger the connection.
A study of 500,000 people in 10 European countries found that sugary drinks were associated with all causes of death. To be clear, these are population-based studies, so it's impossible to know whether these observations are due to the drinks themselves or other related factors. Another thing, sugary drinks may also increase appetite. According to an old study, drinking soda can make you less sensitive to sweet tastes, causing you to crave more sweet foods.
Alternative
For a touch of elegance, add a slice of lemon or lime to water or tea. Otherwise, try nutritious alternatives like homemade golden milk or our organic juices. These options are packed with nutrients and help cut down on added sugar.
Fast food or frozen pizza
Many argue that homemade pizza is a healthier option because many processed pizzas contain various additives such as preservatives and colorants. Processed meats, such as pepperoni, hot dogs, and most bacon, commonly used as a pizza topping, have been linked to cancer, so it's important to monitor your intake. Additionally, most manufactured pizzas use highly refined flour, which lacks nutrients compared to whole grains.
Alternative
Fast food and frozen pizza, which are high in calories, fat and salt, aren't the only options. There is a healthy alternative made from fresh and healthy ingredients. Add nutritious vegetables such as broccoli, mushrooms, onions and peppers to your pizza. You can also make your own batter with nutritious flour combinations like rye, quinoa, or chickpea flour.
white bread
Commercial white bread is made with refined wheat that has been stripped of fiber and other important nutrients. As such, white bread can spike blood sugar levels. On the other hand, whole grains may be a cheaper option because they raise blood sugar more slowly, are high in fiber, and promote gut health.
According to one study, whole wheat bread may be more effective in reducing belly fat than refined bread. Because the definition of whole-wheat bread varies across research, it's impossible to draw firm conclusions about the effect of whole-wheat versus white bread on health outcomes.
Alternative
One of the best alternatives to white bread is sprouted whole wheat bread. Germinated grains reduce anti-nutrients, allowing more nutrients to be absorbed from the grains. Antinutrients are compounds in plant foods that interfere with the absorption of nutrients from food sources. For example, phytic acid can bind to minerals like iron and zinc and prevent them from being absorbed by the body.
Almost all the nutrients in sprouted grains are available for absorption by the body. In addition to this, germinated grains are high in antioxidant levels. For those who can tolerate gluten, Ezekiel bread is a solid alternative to white bread.
Sweet and ready to eat breakfast cereals
Breakfast cereals are processed grains such as wheat, barley, rice and corn. Most grain products on the market are low in fiber and highly sweetened to enhance their flavor and appeal. Some are as sweet as candy. A recent study in five Western countries, including the United States, evaluated nearly all ready-to-eat breakfast cereals with an "unhealthy" nutritional profile. Researchers found significant amounts of sugar in processed breakfast cereal.
Alternative
Choose breakfast cereals that are high in fiber and have no added sugar. Better yet, make your own oatmeal from scratch. Fiber intake has been linked to better digestive health and a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, certain digestive diseases, weight gain, type 2 diabetes and several types of cancer. Steel-cut oats provide two to three times the fiber content of ready-to-eat breakfast cereals
Most of the pastries, cakes and sweets
Nutrient-free, these ultra-processed shots are loaded with sugar, low in fiber, and contain preservatives. Most baked desserts are made with refined sugar, refined wheat flour, and added fat. You can also use shortening, which contains trans fats that increase inflammation. There appears to be a link between increased consumption of highly processed foods and higher body weight, a larger waistline, and lower levels of good HDL cholesterol (plus increased risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, depression and death). . While these are important findings, they are observations and not evidence of causation.
Alternative
Homemade crumbles in a cup are an easy, nutritious and low-sugar alternative to fancy cakes or cookies. It also has all the flavor and crunch. To do this, put the fruit in a cup and cover it with a mixture of oats and nut crumble. You can control the level of sweetness.
French fries and potato chips
Potatoes are rich in nutrients, but processing them into French fries and potato chips can reduce their nutritional content. increase. When potatoes are fried, roasted, or roasted for long periods of time, they can form compounds called acrylamides, which are linked to cancer. Evidence suggests that dietary acrylamide exposure is associated with cancer in humans.
Alternative
There is nothing wrong with enjoying your favorite foods once in a while without feeling guilty. If you want a nutritious and crunchy alternative to potato chips, consider carrots, peppers, cucumbers, popcorn, or nuts.
gluten free prepared foods
There are many people who are trying to avoid gluten. However, a gluten-free diet is not necessarily healthy for people without gluten-related disorders. People often replace nutritious foods that contain gluten with highly processed, gluten-free foods. However, following a gluten-free diet can result in higher food spending, lower fiber intake, and the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
Alternative
Remember, unless you have a gluten-related disorder, there is no reason to avoid gluten. Instead of processed gluten-free foods, choose naturally gluten-free, nutrient-rich foods such as brown rice and quinoa.
Low fat Yogurt
To reduce the fat content of their products without compromising taste, manufacturers often substitute additives such as sugar, modified food starch and chewing gum. One study found that low-fat yogurt reduced chronic inflammation in healthy premenopausal women, but the study relied on participants reporting what and how much they ate. According to the latest research, there is no convincing evidence that low-fat diets are more effective for weight management.
Alternative
Not all yogurts are created equal. Greek yogurt is particularly rich in protein, calcium, vitamin B12 and contains magnesium. It also contains beneficial bacterial cultures, making it a potential source of good probiotics for your gut. Plain Greek yogurt with fruit chips and dark chocolate is a delicious treat.
low carb refined foods
There's a lot of interest in low-carb diets that can help you lower insulin levels, improve heart health, and lose weight. Although you can eat many healthy foods on a low-carb diet, you should be wary of highly processed low-carb options. Examples include meal replacements and low-carb snacks such as cribs and cheddar cheese cookies.
A review of 43 studies found no association between ultra-processed foods and improved health in any of the studies. Instead, a growing body of evidence links ultra-processed foods to adverse health effects and chronic disease. Indeed, how these foods contribute to the world's chronic disease burden requires urgent reflection.
Alternative
If you're on a low-carb diet, include foods that are naturally low in carbs, such as most green and leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds, eggs, and tofu.
Most ice cream, frozen yogurt, and popsicles
Ice cream, frozen yogurt, and popsicles are treats that are hard to resist - and they're all delicious ways to treat yourself once in a while. Although there are some nutritious options on the market, most are high in calories and contain refined sugars (such as table sugar, high fructose corn syrup, cane sugar and cane juice ) or natural sugars such as honey and maple. You may also come across artificial flavors and additives in some varieties. Chronic sugar intake has been linked to a variety of health problems, including tooth decay, weight gain, heart disease, fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and even death.
Alternative
You can buy a more nutritious brand or make your own soft ice cream or popsicle using natural fruits instead of refined sugar.
Processed Meat
Processed meat is food that has undergone processing to improve taste, maintain quality, or increase shelf life. Nuggets, Patties, and canned meat are just a few examples of processed meats.
Numerous studies show a strong link between processed meat and cancer, especially colon cancer. In fact, the World Health Organization has classified processed meats as carcinogens. In other words, there is compelling evidence that processed meat causes cancer.
There are many nutritious, less processed alternatives to processed meats. High-quality chicken, turkey, fish, beans and lentils are just a few examples.
Bottom Line
There is no doubt about the power of a nutritious diet when it comes to preventing and sometimes even treating food-related chronic diseases. Including nutrient-dense food swaps for ultra-processed foods is one way to help you eat a more nutritious diet.
While certain foods have been linked to various health conditions, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, distinguishing between the two isn't always helpful. The reality is that many factors contribute to the development of chronic diseases, including genetics, diet, and lifestyle.
In addition, we cannot ignore external factors such as where they live, the state of their environment, and the quality of their relationships, all of which work together to influence health and disease.