We’ve all heard the phrase, “You are what you eat.” But what if there was more truth to that than we realize? Are the chemicals, hormones and carcinogens causing long-term health effects? Perhaps…let’s find out more.
#1 Margarine
This is perhaps the worst fad diet for weight loss yet. Our bodies crave fat so we can burn energy – our cells are built with fat. Why are we not giving our bodies what we need in moderation? Margarine, also known as “fake” butter, is loaded with trans fats, free radicals, emulsifiers and preservatives – most of which lead to harmful health aftermath. In high doses, the aforementioned ingredients may lead to heard disease, cancer, bone issues, imbalanced hormones, skin diseases, infertility and other issues. Good ol’ butter, from grass-fed cows is the best choice. It is filled with essential fatty acid (conjugated linoleic acid) which actually helps fight cancer and diabetes.
#2 Artificial Sweeteners
Somewhere between testing mice and humans, the interaction between gut microbes and the consuming of aspartame, sucralose and saccharine didn’t work out so well. Depending on the types of microbes in their intestines, some results proved a two-to-four fold increase in blood sugars after consuming artificial sweeteners. Over a span of time, diabetes is likely to develop from high sugar levels. If you need a little sweetener, it’s best to stick with natural sources like honey, maple syrup or stevia.
#3 Refined Sugar
Adding sugar is not such a great idea – it’s is 11 times more likely to cause diabetes than general calories. Some doctors believe that fructose “fools” our brains into thinking we are not done eating (full), so we overeat. The excess fructose cannot be converted into energy and instead are turned into fat. This unfortunately starts a chain reaction that starts with insulin resistance and may end with metabolic disease and/or heart disease.
You are now saying to yourself, “Phew! Good thing I don’t eat sugar.” Unfortunately, and as much as we’d love to agree with you, there’s a ton of sugar in most of the processed foods we consume. So, unless the food is sweetened with natural sweeteners, there’s likely sugar in it.
#4 Vegetable Oil
What qualifies as a vegetable oil is typically oils extracted from soybeans, cottonseed, sunflower and other sources. Before the 20th century, we did not have the technology to extract such oils. Seed oils are high in Omega-6 fatty acids. In excess, these oils may lead to body inflammation and might contribute to disease (including heart disease in some). Vegetable oils are found in most processed foods – things like potato chips, mayonnaise and canned nuts. Alternatives to entertain include coconut oil, which is 100% saturated and is quite beneficial to your overall health, or butter.
#5 Canned Food
Purchasing canned food also means you are purchasing BPA (Bisphenol A) – a harmful synthetic compound that is linked to abnormal reproductive births, neurological dysfunction, diabetes, heart disease and increased risk of breast and prostate cancers. Highly acidic canned foods like tomatoes cause the BPA to leach into the food. Also, food from containers marked with a recycling number 3 or 7 also contain BPA. The best way to avoid BPA is to purchase fresh organic produce and use glass containers (not plastic).
#6 Processed Meats
Unfortunately, most stock raised for food processing are fed hormones, antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals that remain in their bodies and are passed on to us when we eat. In addition to the drugs, meats are often treated with sodium nitrite to add color and flavor. Our bodies transform them into nitrosamines, or cancer-causing compounds. Processed meat is also likely to contain other cancer-related chemicals like Heterocyclic Amines (HCA), Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) and Advanced Glycation End-products. If you are going to enjoy meat – go for the non-processed type! Better, aim for grass-fed or sustainable raised stock – your body will thank you!
#7 Food Dye
There have been several attempts to change the tide on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) view on food dye. Red #3 caused cancer in laboratory vermin (rats), Yellow #5 and #6 may have cancer-promoting agents. Food-making corporations use the dyes to make food appear to be healthier than they actually are. Reading labels from pre-packaged foods is a great way to keep an eye on your intake. And don’t assume that just because the food is “healthy” like cheese or yogurt, that the dyes are absent.
#8 Sprouts
At first glance, one might respond, “Really? I didn’t expect to see a vegetable on this list!” But let’s face it – sprouts have been the source of so many recalls that, frankly, it’s not worth the risk. Over the past 20 years, they have been at the center of more than 40 major outbreaks of foodborne illness. They tend to be contaminated with salmonella, E. coli and listeria to name a few. While the sprout itself if okay, the environment it needs to remain fresh unfortunately is the exact same environment that bacteria need to thrive and multiply. If you must have your sprouts, please consider cooking them first or replacing them with a healthy alternative like shredded cabbage or carrots (for the crunch).
The easiest and surest way to remain healthy is to is eat fresh foods. Author Michael Pollan states, “If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don’t.” We can’t agree with you more Michael.
