Are you aware of which foods can be detrimental to your health? Do you want to lead a longer and better life but need to know how it all starts with simple food choices? If so, then considering what you consume will make all the difference.
This post will review twelve foods shown to harm one’s health. We will also give you suggestions on how to live a healthy lifestyle while eating these unhealthy foods in moderation.
You can read on to learn more about the health risks of these food items that may shorten your life!
Processed Meat
Saturated fats, such as those found in processed meat, have been linked to increased heart disease and other diseases. So limit yourself to once a week if you can’t do without bacon or sausage.
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Assortment of cold meats, variety of processed cold meat products
According to new research, eating processed meat has been linked to a shorter lifespan. The World Health Organization (WHO) research showed that consuming just 50 grams of processed meat per day (about the equivalent of two slices of bacon) can increase your risk of death by 34%.
“Processed Meat May Cause Cancer”
WHO also says processed meats may also cause cancer. The WHO has classified processed meat as a Group One carcinogen, meaning there is convincing evidence that they cause cancer.
Processed meats are one of the biggest health threats in the world today.
Not only do they increase the risk of heart disease and cancer, but they can also reduce your healthy life expectancy.
In a study by the University of Michigan School of Public Health on the Health Nutritional Index of a sample of foods, a typical beef hot dog on a roll was one of the meals studied. As much as 61 grams of processed meat could result in a loss of 36 minutes of life, while a serving of nuts profited an extra 26 minutes of healthy life.
You should avoid processed meats as much as possible if you want to live a healthy life.
Red Meat
Red meat in hamburgers and steak may raise the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other ailments. Try substituting red meat for healthier protein sources like chicken or fish instead.
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Red Meat
The bottom line: Processed meats and Red meat are bad for your health and can shorten your healthy life expectancy.
Sugary Drinks
Sodas and other sugary drinks have a lot of unhealthy sugar and calories. They can also lead to tooth decay and obesity. The Centre For Disease Control (CDC) says you should “Rethink Your Drink” as these “sugary drinks are the leading source of added sugars in the American diet.”
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Close-up on a glass sugary drink – the concept of unhealthy and risky drink
If you want something healthy to drink, try water or tea; They’re calorie-free and won’t harm your teeth as sugary drinks can. Plus, they’ll help keep you hydrated throughout the day.
Who knows? Replacing sugary drinks with healthy ones might add years to your life!
Examples of sugary drinks that shorten your life span include:
- Sodas
- Fruit juices
- Sports drinks
- Sweetened iced tea
- Sweetened coffee
Energy Drinks
Energy drinks typically contain stimulants, including caffeine, to provide a boost of energy. Unfortunately, this can lead to heart problems, anxiety, and other health issues.
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Energy Drink on Ice
Consider drinking herbal tea or coffee if you need a quick energy boost. They’ll give you the energy and health benefits you need without reducing your minutes of healthy life.
Fried Foods
Deep-fried foods contain unhealthy fats and cholesterol. These foods can also cause heart disease and other health problems.
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fried food
Avoid frying your food whenever possible, and choose healthier cooking methods like air frying, baking, or grilling. Alternatives to fried foods include:
- Baked chicken or fish
- Grilled vegetables
- Steamed broccoli or cauliflower
- Poached eggs
- Quinoa or brown rice instead of fried potatoes or white rice.
Foods that are High in Sugar
Added sugars can cause health problems like obesity, heart disease, and type II diabetes. Foods that are high in added sugars include:
- Sodas and other sugary drinks
- Fruit juices with added sugar
- Candy bars and other sweets
- Ice cream and other desserts
Choose healthier snacks like fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, or whole-grain crackers instead of sugary foods. If you need to eat something sweet, have a small portion and save the rest for later.
Refined Grains
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Sliced white bread
Foods with a lot of refined grains, such as white bread and pasta, can cause weight gain and other health problems. Choose whole-grain versions of these foods instead for a healthier diet. Alternatives to eating refined grains include:
- Quinoa
- Brown rice
- Barley
- Bulgur wheat
- Millet
- Oats
Processed Foods
Many processed foods like canned soups, frozen dinners, and pre-packaged snacks, for example, include high amounts of salt and sugar. They’re also full of chemicals that aren’t good for you.
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Canned food
These chemicals can negatively affect our health, causing cancer and other diseases. Harmful chemicals in processed foods include:
- Preservatives: These chemicals keep food from spoiling. But they can cause cancer and other diseases. Some common preservatives include sodium benzoate, BHA, and BHT.
- Artificial flavors: These flavors give processed foods a “nice” taste. Many artificial flavors are from harmful chemicals such as petroleum or coal tar.
- Food coloring: Foods that are artificially colored often contain harmful chemicals such as arsenic and lead.
- Sodium nitrite: This chemical is used in processed meats like bacon, ham, and hot dogs to prevent spoilage and discoloration. There is evidence that this substance may cause cancer and other diseases.
Avoid processed foods whenever possible.
Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are known to be harmful to our health. They can cause weight gain, diabetes, and other health problems.
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Assorted Artificial sweeteners
Examples of artificial sweeteners in many foods and drinks, such as diet sodas and yogurt, are aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose.
Read the food labels carefully and choose products without artificial sweeteners to avoid these harmful chemicals. Foods healthy for you include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.
Living a healthy life is essential for your overall well-being. So make the healthiest choices for you and your loved ones by avoiding these sweeteners that may shorten your life. Stick to natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup instead.
Dairy products
Dairy products are high in cholesterol and saturated fat. They can also cause allergies and other health problems.
Try replacing dairy products with vegan alternatives like soy milk or almond milk.
Alcohol
Too much alcohol can damage your liver and other organs, leading to severe health problems. Limit your intake of alcohol to no more than one drink per day.
Sodium
Foods high in sodium can lead to high blood pressure and other health problems. Try avoiding processed foods and eating fresh fruits and vegetables instead. These foods are low in sodium and healthy for our bodies.
This article was produced by Frenz Hub