Have you ever wondered why you feel so sluggish after eating certain foods?
The truth is, some of the most popular processed and packaged foods are slowly destroying your health. They may seem convenient, but many are loaded with chemicals, high fructose corn syrup, and genetically modified ingredients that can wreck havoc on your body over time. The good news is, once you know the worst offenders, you can break up with them for good. Get ready to be shocked – some of these foods are probably staples in your pantry. But after learning the truth about how they undermine your health and waistline, you’ll be racing to replace them with whole foods that give you energy and help you feel your best every day.
Why You Should Avoid Processed Foods
Processed foods are convenient, but they’re terrible for your health. These manufactured edibles are loaded with sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives – all of which can wreak havoc on your body and mind.
For starters, excess sugar consumption is linked to weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease. Most processed foods like cookies, cakes, and sugary cereals are packed with added sugar, often in the form of high fructose corn syrup – a highly processed sweetener with no nutritional value.
Sodium is another concern. Too much salt can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, and stroke. Virtually all processed foods, from chips and pretzels to frozen dinners and canned soups, are loaded with sodium.
Processed foods also tend to be full of artificial trans fats and refined carbohydrates, both of which are inflammatory and fattening. Artificial colors, preservatives and other chemicals are commonly added as well – many of which have questionable long term effects.
In short, processed foods are dietary disasters. They’re engineered to be hyper-palatable and addictive, but lack real nutrition. For better health, cut back on processed fare and choose whole foods instead – fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and lean proteins. Your body and mind will thank you.
The Dangers of Artificial Ingredients
Artificial ingredients are chemicals added to processed foods to improve taste, appearance, and shelf life, but they come with some serious health risks.
Trans fats
Trans fats are unsaturated fats that have been hydrogenated, meaning they have had hydrogen added to make them more solid. Found in margarines, shortenings, and various fried and baked goods, trans fats raise your “bad” LDL cholesterol and lower your “good” HDL cholesterol. They increase the risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
High fructose corn syrup
This liquid sweetener is added to sodas, fruit drinks, and many other processed foods. It spikes blood sugar, promotes fat storage in the liver, and may lead to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. High fructose corn syrup contains no nutrients and is highly addictive.
Artificial colors
Synthetic dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1 are used to make processed foods more appealing and are linked to allergic reactions, ADHD in children, and possibly even cancer. Many countries have banned artificial colors, but the U.S. still allows them in high amounts.
Sodium nitrite
Used to preserve and add color to processed meats like bacon, sausage, and deli meat. When exposed to high heat, sodium nitrite forms cancer-causing compounds called nitrosamines. It may also lead to migraines, Alzheimer’s disease, and thyroid and colon cancers.
The bottom line? Avoid processed foods with artificial ingredients whenever possible. Choose whole, unprocessed alternatives and your health and waistline will thank you.
Processed Meats and Cancer Risk
Processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, and deli meats have been classified as carcinogens by the World Health Organisation. This means there is strong evidence that eating these foods can increase your risk of cancer. Here are some of the main reasons to avoid processed meats:
These meats have been treated with chemicals like sodium nitrite to preserve color and prevent bacterial growth. When cooked at high temperatures, sodium nitrite forms cancer-causing chemicals called nitrosamines. Nitrosamines are known to damage cells and cause DNA changes that can lead to cancer.
Processed meats contain chemicals called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs form when sugars and proteins in the meat react at high temperatures. Studies show AGEs may promote inflammation and the growth of cancer cells. Grilling, frying, and broiling processed meats produces the highest amounts of AGEs.
Processed meats are often high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Diets high in saturated fat and cholesterol have been linked to increased risk of colon cancer and other cancers. For the best health, limit red meat and processed meat intake and choose lean protein sources like fish, beans, and legumes more often.
To reduce your cancer risk, limit processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, sausage, and deli meats. These meats have been treated with preservatives and cooked at high temperatures, both of which can produce carcinogens. Choose fresh, unprocessed meat options instead and eat more plant-based sources of protein whenever you can. Your health and waistline will thank you.
How Added Sugars Wreak Havoc on Your Body
Added sugars are hidden in so many of the processed and packaged foods we eat every day. These sweeteners wreak havoc on your body in ways you may not even realise.
Blood Sugar Spikes
When you consume added sugars, your blood sugar skyrockets. Your pancreas has to pump out insulin to lower blood sugar levels, often dropping them too low. This “sugar crash” leaves you feeling tired, hungry, and craving more sugar. These spikes and crashes create a dangerous cycle and can lead to insulin resistance over time.
Weight Gain
Excess sugar consumption is a leading cause of weight gain and obesity. The extra calories from added sugars are usually stored in the body as fat. Sugary drinks are especially problematic, providing little nutrition but lots of empty calories. Studies show people who drink sugary beverages gain more weight and face a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
Liver Damage
Too much sugar overworks your liver, just like too much alcohol. This can lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which may cause scarring and long term liver damage. Your liver has to metabolise the fructose in added sugars, and it’s not designed to handle the amounts we consume today.
Accelerated Aging
Added sugars speed up skin aging and cell aging throughout your body. They damage collagen and elastin, which provide skin structure and elasticity. They also shorten telomeres, the caps on the end of chromosomes, causing cells to age faster. Limiting added sugars is one of the best ways to slow aging and maintain a youthful appearance.
The next time you’re tempted by a sugary treat, think about the damaging effects. Cut back on added sugars whenever you can by avoiding processed foods and choosing whole foods instead. Your health and waistline will thank you.
Our Definitive List of Processed Foods to Avoid
When it comes to processed foods, the options seem endless, but many are terrible for your health. Here are some of the worst offenders to avoid:
Sugary Cereals
Those colorful, sugar-coated cereals marketed to kids are loaded with added sugar and artificial colors. Studies show kids who eat sugary cereals have a higher risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
White Bread
White bread is made from refined flour that has had most nutrients stripped away. It spikes blood sugar, promotes inflammation and may increase the risk of heart disease. Choose whole grain bread instead.
Fried Foods
French fries, onion rings, fried chicken and other fried foods are high in unhealthy trans fats and acrylamide, a potential carcinogen. They are terrible for your heart and waistline. Bake or grill instead.
Processed Meats
Hot dogs, bacon, sausage and deli meats usually contain preservatives called nitrates that may form carcinogenic nitrosamines. Processed meats are also high in saturated fat and sodium. Limit or avoid them.
Margarine
Margarine is made from vegetable oils that have been hydrogenated, which creates trans fats. Trans fats raise “bad” LDL cholesterol, lower “good” HDL cholesterol and promote inflammation. Use butter, olive oil or coconut oil instead.
Microwavable Popcorn
Microwavable popcorn contains diacetyl, a chemical that may cause “popcorn lung,” a serious lung disease. The bags are also coated in harmful chemicals. Make your own popcorn with fresh kernels, oil and a popcorn machine or pan instead.
Bottled Salad Dressings
Most bottled salad dressings are made with unhealthy vegetable oils, lots of salt and preservatives. Make your own dressing with ingredients like olive oil, lemon juice and fresh herbs. Your salads will taste better and be much more nutritious.
Avoiding these and other processed foods is one of the best things you can do for your health and well-being. Choose whole, nutritious foods whenever possible for a balanced diet and body.
Conclusion
The truth is, you have the power to avoid these processed poisons and choose real, whole foods instead. It may seem overwhelming at first, but by making one small change each week, you’ll build new healthy habits and crowd out the bad. Start by adding more fresh fruits and veggies, cooking more at home, and drinking water instead of fizzy drinks. Once you get into the groove, you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel. Those cravings for junk food will fade, you’ll have more energy, and your taste buds will come alive again. Take back control of your health – you deserve to fuel your body with the best. The processed food industry may try to convince you otherwise, but you know the truth. You’ve got this! Now go fill your cart with real food and enjoy living vibrantly.
