Why these 5 foods are the hidden “killers” you should avoid the most
We all know fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains are staples of a healthy diet. But there are common foods hiding in plain sight that can negatively impact your health. Here are 5 everyday foods that act as hidden “killers” you should try avoiding as much as possible:
- Hot dogs
Hot dogs are everywhere from baseball games to backyard barbecues. But they are loaded with unhealthy sodium and nitrates. Just one hot dog can contain over 700 mg of sodium and chemicals linked to colon cancer. Skip the hot dogs and opt for a grilled chicken sandwich or veggie burger without the bun.
- Sugary breakfast cereals
Many breakfast cereals are packed with sugar but low in nutrition. For example, a single serving of Froot Loops has 12 grams of sugar – more than 3 chocolate chip cookies! The sugar causes blood sugar spikes and inflammation. Go with oatmeal, greek yogurt or eggs for a healthier start to your day.
- White bread
White bread is stripped of fiber and nutrients with very few health benefits. But it still impacts blood sugar similar to pure sugar due to its high glycemic index. This can lead to energy crashes and mood swings after a sandwich. Replace white bread with 100% whole grain or seed breads.
- Flavored lattes
Daily runs to the coffee shop for flavored lattes like vanilla and mocha come with tons of added sugar and calories. A 16 oz. mocha can pack over 50 grams of sugar – the equivalent of 13 chocolate chip cookies! Stick to plain coffee with small amounts of milk and real flavors like cinnamon.
- Baked goods
The doughnuts, cookies, muffins and other baked goods from coffee shops and convenience stores are hard to resist. But a single cookie can exceed your daily recommended sugar intake. All those excess calories contribute to weight gain. Limit yourself to small treats and choose healthy snacks like fruit and nuts instead.
The common thread among these five foods is that they create carb, sugar and calorie overload without adequate nutrition. This leads to crashes in energy, spikes in inflammation and expanding waistlines. They clog arteries, contribute to diabetes and oxidative stress.
Your best bet is focusing your diet on whole, unprocessed foods. Fill up on fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats from nuts and seeds, legumes, whole grains and sprouted breads. Read labels and avoid any product with sugar in the first 3 ingredients. Getting nutrients from real foods will properly fuel your body without the health repercussions.
Cutting out these five hidden food “killers” – hot dogs, sugary cereals, white bread, flavored lattes and baked goods – is a major step towards better health, stable energy and shedding unwanted pounds. Your body and mind will thank you!