Ingredients That You Should Avoid? There are so many unhealthy ingredients that sneak into our food that it can be hard to know what to avoid and what to eat. When you think about it, foods aren’t just filled with nutrition and tasty filling. They also have loads of other ingredients that we don’t want to be consuming.
Whether it’s added sugar, artificial ingredients, or even common allergens, you want to limit the number of ingredients in your diet as much as possible. While it may seem like it’s difficult to avoid all of these things, the good news is that there are plenty of foods that you can eat instead of these harmful versions.
Here’s a list of ingredients and foods you should avoid in your diet:
Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are used in food to make it taste better and increase the sweetness without adding calories. While these seem like healthy choices, they can be incredibly damaging to your health. The main problem is that they trick your brain into thinking that these added sugars aren’t there. This can lead to people consuming more sugar than they would have if they didn’t use artificial sweeteners.
In addition to sugar, artificial sweeteners include aspartame, acesulfame-k, sucralose, neotame, and saccharin. There are so many different versions of these sweeteners, so it can be hard to know which ones to avoid. Luckily, there are plenty of options that you can use instead of artificial sweeteners. These include stevia, monk fruit, and coconut sugar. It’s important to note that artificial sweeteners will often be listed as a sugar substitute on nutrition labels. If a product doesn’t come with a list of ingredients, it’s best to assume that it contains artificial sweeteners.
Artificial Colors
Artificial colors are used to add color to food and give it a more appealing appearance. Unfortunately, these dyes are more often than not added to food to make it more attractive. The problem, however, is that they’re not necessary for food to look appealing. Plus, there’s not always a nutritional benefit to be gained by eating something that’s red or yellow.
This is why so many foods now come in different colors. However, many artificial colors contain a chemical called Red #40 which has been linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, and organ toxicity. The other main artificial color that you should avoid is Blue #1.
Artificial Flavors
Similar to artificial colors, artificial flavors are added to foods to make them taste better. While it’s understandable that food companies would want to improve the taste of their food, more often than not these flavors are unnecessary. Many artificial flavors contain chemicals that have been linked to cancer, reproductive toxicity, organ toxicity, immune system suppression, and more. One of the most common artificial flavors to avoid is MSG (monosodium glutamate). This flavor enhancer is used in many Chinese and Indian foods and is often added to soups, sauces, and meats.
Fried Foods
Fried foods are usually high in calories, sodium, and fat. These unhealthy ingredients can also contain way too many calories for the amount of food that you’re eating. This is why it’s so important to read the nutrition label and make sure that you’re only consuming what’s listed on the label.
If you really must have fried food, try using a healthier oil such as olive oil or coconut oil. Some fried foods will also list a healthier version on their nutrition label. If you’re unsure about a product, it’s best to assume that it contains fried foods.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
GMOs are a large controversy in the food industry. While most foods that contain GMOs contain no health risks, there are many that do. Genetically modified foods have been altered to contain certain ingredients and benefits that are only found in certain crops. This is very different from conventional breeding, which only makes plants better at surviving.
This process can create plants that are resistant to diseases and harmful insects. However, the problem is that we don’t know if or when these altered crops will appear in other crops. This means that we don’t know how these altered foods will affect the human body. In fact, the World Health Organization has stated that the overall effects of eating GMO foods are unpredictable and negative.
High Fructose Corn Syrup and Sugar
Fructose and high fructose corn syrup are two names for the same thing. This is the primary sugar found in sweetened beverages such as soft drinks, fruit drinks, and sweetened teas. Many people confuse high fructose corn syrup with the natural sugars found in fruit. The problem is that high fructose corn syrup is nothing like natural sugars and can be quite harmful.
This is because high fructose corn syrup is made from corn starch, which is a highly processed food. In fact, high fructose corn syrup is often just a combination of cornstarch and fructose. This means that it has no nutritional value. Instead, it’s primarily used as a sweetener. High fructose corn syrup is often found in processed and convenience foods. If a product doesn’t list the ingredients, it’s best to assume that it contains high fructose corn syrup.
Highly Processed Foods
Most of the foods that contain added ingredients are highly processed. This can include items such as frozen foods, canned foods, baked goods, and more. Most convenience foods are made using highly processed ingredients. This is why it’s so important to read nutrition labels and make sure that you’re only consuming foods that are healthy and nutritious.
While highly processed foods may seem innocent enough, they can be quite harmful. For example, many convenience foods contain large amounts of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats. The problem is that these ingredients are added to mask the natural taste of the food. As a result, you may consume far more calories than you should. The best way to avoid high-carbohydrate, sugar, and salt foods is to prepare your own meals.
Restaurant Meats
Restaurant meals are often very high in sodium. This is because many restaurant foods are prepared using a lot of salt and other preservatives to keep the food’s shelf life as long as possible. The problem is that this can lead to high sodium levels in your diet.
In fact, some restaurant meals contain up to 50% more sodium than the recommended daily intake. If you must consume restaurant meals, try to order something that’s baked and not fried. This will limit the amount of added salt that you’re consuming. Another option is to order a salad before or after your meal.
Conclusion of Ingredients That You Should Avoid
The bottom line is that eating a healthy diet doesn’t have to be boring or difficult. You just need to be willing to limit the amount of harmful ingredients that you consume. By doing so, you can enjoy a variety of nutritious foods that will help you reach your weight loss or fitness goals. The good news is that there are plenty of healthy foods that you can eat instead of harmful versions.
Your health is very important! Here’s another read for you to help you out! Why Nutrition Is So Important: The Importance of Eating Healthy Foods