Crazy Foods That Might Ruin Your Health

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.