Crazy Foods That Might Ruin Your Health

We’re all inclined to overindulge when it comes to food, eating things we know we shouldn’t. It’s fine as long as it’s in moderation. While you may think that the food you’re eating is healthy and wholesome, you could be surprised. As for the foods you know aren’t good for you, you may not realize just how bad they are for your health.

The concept of "cheat" food for athletes is a reward for going through a clean period. This is because they want to keep their body in good order. Food affects how the internal workings of your body work and are revealed in your extremities. Overindulgence constantly will affect the strength of your nails, your skin, the color of your eyes and of course your weight. If you indulge too often in the below foods, you not only risk gaining an immense amount of weight but your health is at risk as well.

Donuts

While it’s hard to resist donuts, there are various reasons that they wreak havoc on the body. For one, they are high in carbohydrates, fat, and calories. If the donuts aren’t fresh, preservatives have been added to allow them to sit on a shelf for longer periods of time. Donuts can also cause dental problems as you can get cavities from the sweet icings and glazes. Excessive consumption of donuts will make you gain weight and you become easily exhausted. Your lack of energy will prevent you from working out, therefore those calories will stay in the body and be stored as fat. Your mental health may also suffer as the chemicals in donuts can cause brain fog as well. Offering absolutely no nutrients, you’ll be full of empty calories. Long term issues with donut eating can include diabetes due to being overweight and in poor health. This condition can get much worse as diabetes can result in a whole host of complications from edema of the limbs to the onset of gangrene for from infection in the feet.

Bagels

Bagels and its normal counterparts, such as butter or cream cheese, can cause inflammation. Most bagels available have between 300 to 500 calories unless it is truly one-hundred percent whole grain. Bagels are full of refined carbohydrates which have been linked to Type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease, among other conditions. Bagels are also high on the glycemic index, as these spheres of delight increase a person's insulin levels as well as cause inflammation throughout the body. All of these factors can lead to acne, aging prematurely and weight gain. It is important to note also that one bagel contains up to three servings of carbohydrates.

Sugary Cereals

A staple in many households as a quick go-to meal or as a convenient breakfast, cereals such as the big brand named ones as well as the generic brands you will find in any grocery store, carry a large amount of inflammation-causing sugar as well as gluten. Gluten causes the skin to breakout along with the inflammation of the stomach lining. Also, try to take caution that even a cereal that is branded as "healthy," often made from whole grains, can include contents high in sugar. Read the labels on your favorite cereals to see how much sugar is being added. The additional sugar adds calories you do not need and can potentially spike your blood sugar, leading to an energy crash before lunch.

Potato Chips

Inexpensive, tasty, and readily available, potato chips are common household snacks for many individuals. For starters, many kinds of potato chips are fried in trans fats, which are the union of hydrogen and vegetable oil. This process is known as hydrogenation and is useful for preventing the spoilage of the oil. Trans fats are a preservative, giving this type of snack a longer shelf life. It also gives the chips a less greasy feel, which is misleading. Trans fat can cause a spike in cholesterol levels as well as increase your risk of coronary heart disease. Chips are also typically high in calories and fat, increasing your risk of weight gain and obesity, which can lead to an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and various forms of cancer. For instance, one ounce of potato chips, approximately fifteen to twenty chips, contain ten grams of fat and 154 calories. The sodium content in potato chips can also lead to high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels as well.

French Fries

Similar to potato chips, French fries are often deep fried in trans fat. It’s also suggested that you don’t overdose yourself with potatoes as they are high on the glycemic index, however potatoes in general, and even sweet potatoes, are good for you in moderation and studies have shown that potatoes themselves do not negatively impact your health. It's not the potato aspect of French fries that are bad-its all about how they are prepared.

Considering French fries are fried in oils and the sodium content that comes with it, this delicious and favorite food can lead to diabetes as your insulin levels increase. Many individuals are also at an increased risk of weight gain, obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. French fries contain acrylamide which is a carcinogen that forms when food is fried at a high temperature for a short time. Acrylamide is known to cause the formation of cancer in the body and have been shown in different studies to increase the mortality rate amongst populations as well.

Fast Food

Fast food carries a lot of empty calories with plenty of saturated and trans fats. On average, the meat used to make a fast food hamburger is only twelve percent meat. The rest of the burger contains, water, bone, and other fillers that the body does not require. The trans fat found in most fast foods, especially hamburgers, can raise your cholesterol levels substantially and is linked to causing heart disease as well. The additives in hamburgers are also a health hazard. Ammonia is often used in the mechanically separated meat product in order to irradiate any forms of bacteria.

Sodium phosphate and nitrates are used to preserve and texturize the meat. Some individuals may suffer from side effects due to how processed the meat becomes. On average, most fast food options, hamburgers, in particular, are extremely high in sodium to enhance the taste. In addition to the meat, the buns used are often made with enriched flour, which is processed or bleached flour, and the toppings, which may appear healthy, can contain numerous amounts of sugars and salts, as seen in many condiments like ketchup and mustard.

Fat-Free Foods

While eating fat-free might be appealing to many who want to shed a few pounds, many of these foods are highly processed and contain high if not higher amounts of sugar and calories are their normal versions. There are some fat-free foods that are healthier for you, ensure to also check the labels for sugar content. Cheese and other dairy products can be produced fat-free simply by replacing whole milk with skim milk. Many foods are available fat-free today, such as peanut butter, yogurt, and salad dressings.

Manufacturers of fat-free foods tend to add sugar or even high-fructose corn syrup to maintain a longer shelf life for many of their products. This is only adding empty calories to your diet, replacing one problem with another. You skip the fat but are still getting the calories. Consuming fat is part of a healthy diet when eaten in moderation and choosing healthy sources of fat. Monounsaturated fats are something the body can digest. These healthy fats can be found in fish, avocados or nuts. Stick to these fats and save your health by skipping fat-free foods that are available at the store.

Microwave Popcorn

Microwave popcorn contains highly dangerous ingredients if you indulge too often. This tasty, salty snack food contains carcinogens which are cancer-causing free radicals. Even the bag is harmful to your health, with Perfluorochemicals being added to the bag to ensure they are greaseproof, and this chemical has been linked to thyroid disease and ADHD. Diacetyl is one of the ingredients put in the artificial fat of microwave popcorn which is also a cancer-causing chemical.

A recent investigation was performed by an Occupational Safety and Health organization in a popular (and not disclosed) factory that made microwave popcorn. The investigation began because some employees were developing bronchiolitis obliterans, a type of lung disease. The results of the investigation discovered the disease was caused by something within the factory, as numerous employees were exposed to the artificial flavoring agent found in the product. Employees now have an exposure limit to these flavoring agents that we consume when we eat microwavable popcorn. If you still crave this savory snack, try making your own from natural kernels in a popcorn maker or over the stove, as it is not only a healthier alternative but a safer one too.

Margarine

While margarine is allegedly being marketed as a healthy alternative to butter, it is a major source of trans fats. Not to mention, there was never enough evidence that indicated that switching from natural butter to processed margarine would drastically decrease a person's chance of having a heart attack or heart disease. Rather, it was a simple marketing ploy used to sell a product that played on people's fears for their health. Trans fats cause cholesterol to spike as well as damage blood vessel walls. Numerous research reports note that margarine has high levels of trans fats that raise LDL cholesterol levels, or bad cholesterol while lowering levels of HDL, or good cholesterol levels within the body. In addition to trans fats, margarine contains synthetic vitamins along with artificial colors. Consuming omega-3 fats or butter is much better for not only your overall health but your heart too. Regardless of the amount of fat content in butter, the ingredients are much more natural than margarine, especially if you eat organic or grass-fed butter.

Vegetarian Meats

A meatless hamburger or hot dog has protein in it but consider how processed the vegetarian dish is to make it taste like meat. Although these "meat" products are highly fortified with vitamins and minerals and have no saturated fats or cholesterol, they are still highly processed food products that are packed with salt, refined ingredients, and calories as opposed to whole, natural meats. Many processed meat products are made with soy and gluten, therefore always read the labels on any alternative meat product. Meat products like this often contain a lot of added chemicals making it incredibly unhealthy as well. Often people gain a significant amount of weight when they go vegan due to consuming the wrong kind of proteins. The shorter the ingredient list, the better for your health and body.

Prepackaged Foods

Similar to processed foods, prepackaged foods may be quick and convenient, but many contain hidden ingredients that are not listed on the packaging. Even prepackaged meals that are marketed as healthy can contain numerous chemicals and preservatives. For instance, many of these prepackaged meals and snacks, often frozen, contain high amounts of sodium, sugars, and fat. Meals that are high in sodium, such as prepackaged pizza, soups, bread, soups, pasta and meat dishes, sandwiches, and Raman noodles, put an individual at an increased risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney disease, and to keep these levels healthy, you will need to limit your sodium intake to less than 1,500 milligrams a day.

Other prepackaged foods contain copious amounts of sugar, including high fructose corn syrup, and consuming a large amount of sugar will increase your risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay. Not to mention, trans fats are often incorporated into these foods and increase your risk for high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, and a heart attack.

Snack Mixes

Although appearing healthy and tempting, many snacks mixes and sweet-salty-crunchy treats may be convenient, but many available in stores are not truly healthy for you. For example, many packaged varieties often include sugary candies, seasoned crunchy pieces like pretzels, and fried chips. Some varieties also include highly processed sweeteners, preservatives, and hydrogenated oils, or basically trans fats. Trail mix is a go-to snack for many, especially for those who live an active lifestyle, as it is convenient, light-weight, and will satisfy one’s hunger pangs.

The real health risks of these snack mixes lie in its ingredients, as many snack mixes, including trail mix, is packed with extra salty nuts, sugary fruits like dried bananas and chocolate, that changes this once healthy snack into a delicious, but rich dessert. Instead of grabbing a bag of snack mix at the store, go to the bulk section or a health food store and mix and match nuts and berries that are lower in sodium and sugar for your own personal snack mix.

Diet Drinks & Foods

Although labeled as a healthy alternative that will keep you on the right track with your fitness and health goals, diet drinks and foods are not what they appear. Calorie-free beverages such as fruit drinks, slimming shakes, teas, and sodas may help you reduce the amount of calories you consume, however, a majority of these drinks are loaded with chemical replacements for sugar. In fact, research has connected artificial sweeteners used in these products to increasing a person’s cravings for other high-sugar and high-caloric foods. These sweeteners often include aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin, acesulfame-k or sucralose, which all carry their own health risks as well, and are 200 to 13,000 times more sweeter than regular sugar.

Besides beverages, a majority of diet foods and drinks are not just packed with artificial sweeteners, but also artificial acids, colors, flavoring, preservatives, vitamins and minerals, and caffeine. For instance, certain acids like citric, malic, and phosphoric, are linked to tooth enamel erosion. Many of these additional chemicals that are included in many diet drinks and foods are related to the development of Type II diabetes and heart disease in numerous studies conducted on patients who consume these products on a regular basis.

Low-Calorie Snacks

Similar to fat-free and diet foods and drinks, low-calorie snacks can be incredibly deceiving when it comes to the ingredients used in producing these foods. Numerous chemicals can be packed into a tiny 100-calorie package. While low-calorie snacks do offer portion control, unfortunately, many of these snacks are packed with high-sugar and low-fiber processed foods that leave many craving more sugary foods. Instead of reaching for one of these convenient snacks, try eating wholesome snacks that have either natural sugar or none at all and contain fiber. Examples of snacks include fresh fruit, yogurt, low-fat cheese, and nuts, which will help keep you focused and full. Speaking of yogurt, some ultra-low calorie yogurts may reduce sugar and fat, but are replaced with artificial sweeteners and thickeners. When in doubt, always read the labels of low-calorie snacks, particularly paying attention to the ingredient list and the sugar, fat, and sodium content in each snack.

Healthy Foods On A Menu

Who doesn’t love going out to eat once in a while? Although dining out in moderation is a better option, remember to always read the menu and to ask your server questions when it comes to your food. Salads may seem like a smart choice as you will get to load up on vegetables and proteins, but extra toppings such as cheese, tortilla strips, and heavy dressing can turn your salad from fab to fat real fast. Not to mention, portion control! Most restaurants offer menu items that are labeled healthy are truly not due to the outlandish portions most restaurants provide, resulting in you overeating, loading up on empty calories, and possibly gaining weight. Try taking some home with you and only eating until you are full, or order off of the kid's menu for a healthier portion.

Rather than simply choosing a meal with all the trimmings, opt for a few other options, such as swapping out French fries for a salad with vinaigrette dressing or a baked potato, and choose whole grain options such as brown rice, pasta, or bread rather than eating the standard bleached version. Load up on healthy, lean proteins such as chicken or turkey and skip red meats when possible. Another smart option is to ask for your vegetables to be steamed or baked rather than fried in greasy, fatty oil, and ask for low-sodium options when it comes to condiments. No matter if you’re ordering in or dining out, you can make smarter, healthier food choices with a few simple switches!