Most Unhealthy foods in the world - It goes without saying healthy eating leads to a long life. But how healthy do we eat in our daily lives? What if that plate of American breakfast you're having right now is actually not so healthy? Many times we don't even know how much a particular food can be unhealthy for us. It can even be a part of our daily diet and we may have no idea about it. But we'll tell you exactly how bad some unhealthy foods can be for us.
Most unhealthy foods in America
1. Low-fat yogurt
Low yogurt is advertised as a healthy food item for all gym-goers who want to reduce fat in their diet. But people tend to forget that there are elements besides fat that are very unhealthy for the human body. One such element is sugar. Eat too much of it and you risk getting diabetes, and that's the last of the health issues high sugar intake can cause in your life. Go for coconut sugar instead.
But coming back to our supposedly healthy low-fat yogurt, did you ever wonder why it is so sweet? That is to compensate for its bland flavor because of the absence of any fat in it. So to make up for not having any natural fats, food companies will overload the yogurt with sugar.
The alternative to this is to skip processed yogurt altogether. Not only are they mostly high on sugar, but they don't have the healthy probiotics that are good for your digestive system. Instead, look up on Google how to make yogurt for yourself at home. It's very easy, we promise!
2. Pizza
Many people enjoy pizza under the illusion that it is actually healthy. It is made of wheat, has veggies and meat. So that makes it healthy, right? Wrong! Unless you're going to Italy to eat their wood-fire baked pizza with all-natural ingredients, the pizza slice you are eating right now is most probably not the best for your health.
On paper, many pizza outlets claim their pizza is made with whole wheat, uses fresh ingredients and unprocessed cheese, making it 'healthy'. That can't be further from the truth! Commercially sold pizzas use flour that is so refined it'll leave your digestive system feeling sluggish and make you gain extra weight. It also has zero fiber whatsoever, which means too many of such pizzas will leave you constipated. And let's not forget the toppings that are used on it.
There's no guarantee the vegetables used would be fresh, and the meat toppings are not only not fresh but processed as well. All these factors leave commercial pizzas with no nutritional value for your health. But if you make pizza at your own home, not only will you be able to use healthy and fresh ingredients but eat a better-tasting pizza than those store-bought ones! Try Mushroom Pizza with Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese or Buffalo Chicken Pizza or The Best Homemade Pan Pizza Recipe (No-Yeast)
3. White bread
Breakfast without toasted white bread is incomplete. But did you know how unhealthy it actually is? Any average white bread is made of refined flour, which does more harm than good. First of all, it is very high in gluten and carbs. Then it is low in fiber, giving your digestive system a bad start in the morning if you have white bread for breakfast.
Finally, it is also unnecessarily high in sugar. Many people like white bread for its sweetness, but this high sugar content can lead to a number of health problems.
If you want to replace white bread with some alternative, we have you covered! Any bread that is made of whole grain wheat is good for your health. It will have everything white bread doesn't have. We especially suggest rye bread for its low gluten and high fiber content. Try Healthy Banana Walnut Bread with Flax
4. Breakfast cereals
Now that we are onto breakfast foods, let's debunk another popular breakfast favorite. Cereals are a quick and easy breakfast option for many of us. Just pour them in a bowl with milk and you are good to go for the day! But did you ever check the back of the cereal box to see what it contains? If not, we'll tell you it's not healthy. Even those oats cereals you bought from the store are processed so much it has lost most of its nutritional value. They are also high in sugar content, and many of us like to add even more sugar atop them!
But this doesn't mean you give up on cereals altogether. Next time you buy your cereals, make sure it is high on fiber and low on sugar to keep all your cereal breakfast days healthy.
5. Potato chips
This one is a no-brainer. Anything that is fried would be bad for you if eaten in excess. And we are talking about potato chips here. Potatoes are already high in carbs. By frying them we are just adding fat into them. Even those baked potato chips would have some amount of oil in them. If you love your potatoes, we suggest eating them boiled to get the best out of them.
6. Agave nectar
Agave nectar is marketed as a healthy replacement for sugar. But do you know what they don't tell you? Agave nectar contains fructose too. A very high amount of it actually. Agave nectar is 85% fructose while your average table sugar is 50% fructose. It is clear you are better off having plain sugar instead of store-bought agave nectar. Or even better, use honey as your sweetener. It is not only all-natural but also has many healthy nutrients that are good for your health.
7. Fruit juices
Here's another thing that masquerades as healthy. Almost all store-bought fruit juices are tripping on high amounts of added sugar. Some commercial fruit juices have sugar content even higher than coke and Pepsi! Any benefit you might get from fruit juice's vitamins and antioxidants get overwritten by its high sugar value. So instead of buying fruit juice from the store, make it in your own home instead! And believe us, nothing beats freshly squeezed orange juice in the morning!
8. Processed meat
Let's admit it, breakfast without bacon and sausages is incomplete. But are you making sure you buy them from the right place? Packaged processed meat like bacon, sausages, and pepperoni from stores are not only fresh but also contain many additives and preservatives.
Studies have shown preservatives can cause serious harm to our health, and may even contribute to diseases like cancer. But don't worry, you can still enjoy your crispy bacon on your breakfast plate! Just make sure to get all meat from your local butcher. This way you can get fresh and preservative-free meat for your kitchen.
9. Processed cheese
Cheese can actually be healthy if you have it in moderation. A slice of it is equal to a glass of milk in all the nutrients it contains. But what we mostly eat in our daily lives is processed cheese, not regular cheese.
Most fast-food chains would use slices of processed cheese, which are nothing like regular cheese in taste or nutrients. Even at home many of us use processed cheese for making sandwiches and burgers. But don't let the cheap price of processed cheese compromise your health.
There are way better cheese options that are not only real cheese but also pack a good amount of nutrients. Mozzarella, feta, and cottage cheese are among the healthiest cheeses you can get. Vegan cheese is a great option too since they are low in fat as well!
10. Sugary drinks
Adding sugar to your drink is probably among the worst things you can do to your health. You may think we are speaking in exaggeration but hear us out first. When you drink a sugary drink your brain will not register it as food, which means it will not be digested like normal food. This will drastically increase not only your calorie intake but sugar intake as well. High sugar in your body will also wear out your insulin resistance and can cause fatty liver disease. Keep up taking more sugar-filled drinks and you can end up with diseases like diabetes and heart conditions.
One of the leading causes of obesity around the world is these sugary drinks. Fast food chains especially don't help with their large-sized portions of drinks. Their small size can be as large as our face! Also, why drink over-sweetened beverages when there are better things out there?! Tea or coffee is always an option. You can also make your own drink by adding a lemon slice to soda water. Doesn't that sound better than those other carbonated sugary drinks?
Eating healthy can be easier than you think. You don't need a fancy nutritionist to plan your diet chart for you. Just know what food to avoid and have healthy alternatives for your favorites. Learn one or two cooking skills and you can whip up your own healthy version of your favorite food. Take back control of your daily meals and achieve healthy living!
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