Here are 10 more of the Most HARMFUL Foods People Keep EATING. Sometimes, the things
we like to eat the most are often the ones we should probably stay away from.
Hot Dogs
Almost everybody loves a good hot dog once in a while. It's one of America's most famous
dishes, after all. However, even eating that one lonesome hot dog could have a lot of negative
effects on your body that you might not even be aware of. Of course, we all know that hot
dog sausages are not - let's say - all-natural. We've been told for ages that we shouldn't
expect anything other than fake and processed ingredients that wouldn't bring us any source
of nutrients whatsoever - and that's more than accurate. In order to keep hot dog sausages
looking fresh, enhance the color, and stay preserved for longer, they have to be modified
to contain nitrates and other chemical additives. These chemicals have been linked with many
health risks, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and some forms of cancer. Hot
dogs are normally high in saturated fats, filled with sodium, and overall, should probably
never be consumed. Yes, hot dogs are super unhealthy, but that's not even the worst part.
Most processed meat, like hot dog sausages, are made up of the leftover, otherwise unused
cuts, which is then blended together. So, next time you feel like eating a hot dog,
maybe, just don't.
Certain Fish
Fish is one of the healthiest foods we can get. As a kid, you were probably told time
and again how important it was to finish your plate of fish because it would help make you
smarter. That trick always worked, and it wasn't all lies. Most fish are full of vitamins
and omega-3 and are a great source of protein and fiber. Even the American Heart Association
recommends eating fish at least two times per week as part of a healthy diet. If you
know how to choose the right kind of fish, all those benefits will be yours. However,
if you choose poorly, you might end up bringing on some really bad health issues. Let's take
swordfish, for example. Swordfish contains a lot of protein, but it also contains high
levels of mercury. Actually, they have been found to have the highest mercury levels in
any of the larger edible fish. Mercury is a potent human neurotoxin that can be fatal
to those who are pregnant, people of childbearing age, and young children. In pregnant folks,
mercury crosses the placenta and can harm the developing brain and nervous system of
the fetus. Both the FDA and the EPA have recommended against eating this fish and other mercury-dense
fish like king mackerel, marlin, and Albacore Tuna. So, next time you want to eat some fish,
take the time to choose it carefully.
Ice Cream
What do ice cream cones, ice cream cakes, and ice cream sandwiches have in common? They're
all frozen desserts we wish we could eat every single day. You had a bad breakup? Get out
the ice cream. You had a good grade? Ice cream! You just feel like eating ice cream? Then
go get it! Any reason is good reason to eat the best frozen treat ever. Which is why it
can become a bit of a problem sometimes. You see, people tend to forget that, even though
ice cream is delicious and doesn't seem as sugary as chocolate cake, it's still in the
dessert category. Meaning, you aren't safe from all the sugar, calories, and fat that
your favorite ice cream brand contains. Most ice cream is high in calories and added sugar,
and the little nutrients it provides cannot compensate. Even low-fat or no-sugar-added
products that are often promoted as healthier, usually contain the same number of calories
as regular ice cream. Ice cream is highly processed and includes ingredients like artificial
flavors and additives, which have been proven to cause some negative health effects. Since
ice cream is so tasty, it can also be extremely easy to overindulge and exceed your daily calorie
intake. One scoop or two probably won't hurt you; just make sure you don't accidentally
eat the whole tub! Who hasn't been there before?!
Anything Fried, Grilled, or Broiled
It shouldn't really come as a surprise that anything that has been modified isn't the
healthiest thing out there. Which doctor has ever said that eating a steaming plate of
fried chicken was good for your arteries? Probably none. Basically, if you see something
that's been deep-fried, chances are, you shouldn't go near it. When something is fried, it becomes
more calorific because it absorbs the fat of the oils, and eating fat-laden foods can
increase blood pressure and cause high cholesterol - which are risk factors for heart disease.
You might think that grilling your food would be better, but even then, you would be wrong.
Grilling is actually among the unhealthiest cooking methods, but people tend to overlook
it and focus on the frying. Exposing meat to high-temperature cooking can cause several
harmful chemicals to form - like heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
These two, in particular, are known to cause cancer in animals and are suspected to increase
the risk in humans, as well. The same goes for broiling the food. It might be quicker
to broil than to bake, but in the long run, those extra minutes will be worth it. If you're
not ready to say goodbye to your precious chicken or mighty steak, there are plenty
of alternative cooking methods you can try if you're concerned about your health. Boiling,
stewing, blanching, and even steaming are all fine ways to cook your food without putting
your health at risk.
Frozen Pizza - Or Just Pizza
By now, you're probably thinking: "well, if I can't even have pizza, then what's the point
of even eating anymore?" And you would be right, pizza is so delicious! It's probably
one of the world's most popular junk foods ever. No matter the country, they've probably
got their very own version of a pizza. But, unless you missed the keyword
there, pizza is a junk food, and what normally goes in junk food? That's right, junk. And
junk food is made with ingredients that are somewhat less than desirable. Stuff like highly
refined dough and heavily processed meat is usually the star of the greasy pie. They're
also often high in calories, sugar, and fats. And if you choose to add that extra cheese,
beware of the extra calories it comes with! While your take-out pizza might not be the
healthiest thing to eat, frozen pizzas are even worse. Along with all the harmful ingredients
from regular pizza, the party is joined by numerous food additives and higher sodium
levels. The salt is the real culprit here, as the majority of frozen pizzas have more
than half the daily recommended intake. A high salt diet means higher blood pressure,
raising the risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and other potential health
problems. Frozen pizza might be one of the easiest and cheapest meals you can make, but is it
really worth the health hazard?
Bagels
There's nothing like a good old bagel with cream cheese to start off your day right.
Or better yet, a BLT sandwich made with sliced bagels instead of bread. Bagels are just yummy,
no matter what you eat them with. However, you might be surprised - or not - to hear
that they might not be the healthiest thing to eat for breakfast, and they might be causing
you a lot more harm than you thought. First of all, the average bagel will have about
350 calories - that is, before any toppings are added - which is a lot for one tiny round
pastry. But, that's not the only reason why bagels shouldn't be your go-to breakfast order.
They are also made with refined white flour, meaning they are high in refined carbs. For
those who don't know, refined carbs have been stripped of almost all fiber, vitamins, and
minerals and are considered "empty calories." They are usually digested more quickly than
regular carbs and have a higher glycemic index, which can lead to rapid spikes in blood
sugar and insulin levels after a meal. Refined white-flour foods have also been linked to
weight gain, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes. But don't worry - not every bagel is out to
get you. If you go for one made with 100 percent whole grains, you should be able to enjoy
your bagel without a care in the world.
Sports Drinks
After a long run or a hearty workout, nothing feels better than an ice-cold bottle of your
favorite sports drink. Whether it's Gatorade or Powerade, there's a brand and a flavor
for everyone. However, if we're being completely honest, most people don't only drink sports
drinks when they've engaged in physical activity - which is where part of the problem begins. Sports
drinks are advertised as being a quick source of energy, thanks to all of the electrolytes
they contain. And they are - for the most part. Electrolytes are minerals that maintain
your body’s ionic balance. This balance is essential for nerve, muscle, and brain
functioning. They can help replace what we lose during long durations of exercise, especially
in the heat. But, if you just drink one while lying on the couch, binging your favorite
show, it might have the opposite effect on your body. While a sip or two might quench
your thirst for a while, the high amount of sugar found in these drinks is too high to
be consumed while resting. Getting extra sugar and sodium throughout the day for less active
people is neither recommended nor necessary. Sports drinks have even been linked to weight
gain and tooth decay, especially in children. So, while sports drinks can help you stay
hydrated, it’s best to only drink them when needed. Otherwise, you might be looking at
some undesirable problems that could've been avoided.
Cheese In A Can
Okay, this one is pretty obvious. Why, oh, why would a weird, squishy, neon-bright substance
be anything else but harmful to you? Really, think about it. While cheese in a can is not
healthy in the slightest, it never really claimed to be so. This highly processed, fake
cheese has quite a reputation - both good and bad - throughout the world. A lot of people
love it, despite its obvious unnatural ingredient list, and don't really question why everybody
else says they should probably steer clear of the stuff. Well, we're here to tell those
people exactly what's wrong with cheese in a can. For starters, the cheese isn't really
cheese at all. In most cases, only about 50% of what's in the can is actually cheese. The
rest is just a bunch of ingredients like salt food dyes, preservatives, extra dairy, emulsifiers,
all added to make it look the way it does. All of these are then added to the melted, pasteurized
cheese before being converted to a spray. By the time all the extra ingredients are
in, the faint amount of actual cheese has already lost most of its natural flavor and
texture - which isn't for the best. These are added to make the cheese last longer on
the shelf. Some cheese in a can doesn't even need to be refrigerated! It can just sit there,
in your pantry, forever. Please, do yourself a favor, don't buy cheese that can stay out
and about for ages, and go with real cheese. Cheese is healthy in moderation, but not when it
is sprayed out of a can.
Instant Oatmeal
You've probably heard the enormous praise oats receive from dieticians. Packed with beneficial
fiber and protein, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, oats are practically the picture
of health! There are even studies that show how eating whole-grain oats can help control
blood sugar, lower the amount of fat in the blood, and even promote weight loss. Seriously,
you get a lot of advantages when you eat a bowl of oatmeal. However, these health benefits
come with whole-grain oats - not instant oats. If you get a bowl of instant oats, you're
most likely getting a serving of added sugar, salt, and artificial coloring, rather than
vitamins. That's because instant oat manufacturers tend to remove the oat's fiber to give their
meal a better texture and help it cook faster. Plus, many companies use fillers such as
flour or add sugar and sugary dried fruits to their oats. Sure, it might make the taste
better, but it loses all of its healthful elements. And one of the biggest problems
with instant oatmeal is when most people eat it, they aren’t eating it plain. They'll
add milk, sugar, and a lot of add-ins, which basically turns this formerly healthy breakfast
into a sweet dessert. If instant oatmeal is your savior on busy mornings, don't worry,
there are other ways to turn oatmeal into a fast food without having to resort to instant.
Try making some overnight oatmeal or even crock-pot oats to save some time and gain
some health advantages.
Agave Nectar
Everybody knows the consequences too much sugar in your diet can have on your body.
And many people have tried to fill their sugar void with artificial sweeteners, which, more
often than not, end up being even worse than sugar itself. That's why a lot of people turn
to agave nectar, a sweetener derived from the agave plant. It's usually marketed as
a healthy alternative to sugar, and why would it not be? It comes from a plant! There's
nothing more natural than that! However, these health claims are nothing but empty promises. There
is a reason why agave nectar doesn't cause the same blood sugar spikes as table sugar
does - it's because of its high amounts of fructose - a good 85%, to be exact. Fructose
is a sugar that does not directly affect blood glucose levels but it does affect a
lot of other things. Sure, agave nectar claims to be suitable for people with diabetes,
but it can do so much more damage elsewhere. For instance, it can completely mess up your
metabolic health by contributing to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, heart disease,
and so on. Eating high-fructose foods can also put extra strain on the liver to convert
these sugars into fats, which may lead to added body fat. You want to be really healthy?
Try Stevia instead for a natural and calorie-free alternative.
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