If we had the time or the inclination we’d be at a farmer’s market every single day – but life doesn’t work like that. We can’t all make everything that we put in our mouths from scratch in the comfort of our own kitchen.
Sometimes we have to store foods in our cupboards and when we’re pressed for time pop them in the oven or microwave. But when you have to do that there’s a good chance that you’re not eating a healthy meal. Processed foods are hugely convenient – however some can be really bad for your health.
But not all of them. Pre chopped vegies and canned natural fruit juice are just two examples. What about fresh natural salmon already smoked, or lean beef for use in a stir fry with great organic (frozen) vegetables?
However when manufacturers start adding sodium, sugars and fats processed foods can become a fast lane to incredibly bad eating habits –and some of them can impact your health to the point where they actually make you ill. In large quantities you’re looking at hospitalization and chronic disease.
So what should you be avoiding at all costs?
Here are some bad, very bad, no good processed foods that should simply not be part of your daily eating plan.
Click NEXT to check the 10 forbidden foods
1. Bacon
According to some the food of the God’s – but according to nutritionists the work of the devil. Bacon contains high levels of sodium, which can lead to high blood pressure. And the sodium content is just the beginning of the horror story.
Part of the reason why bacon is so delicious is because it’s loaded with saturated fat. Saturated fat is linked to heart disease and obesity. The lure of an unhealthy lifestyle lurks in virtually all store-bought bacon because of how many preservatives it contains. These are preservatives which are related to every health concern from headaches, heart disease and cancer.
2. Granola Bars
Everyone from your Mom to nutritionists the world over touted the granola bar as the answer to midday snacks. Packed full of those great grains in boxes featuring mountains, sunrises and smiley happy people.
Here’s the truth – granola bars are loaded with added sugars, which digest quickly and don’t satisfy hunger for long. Despite their marketing image, granola bars don’t offer much in the way of good nutrition. Avoid them for their high simple-carbohydrate count and the long ingredient list filled with difficult-to-pronounce words. Read the pack – you’ll quickly put it back on the shelf.
3. Instant Ramen Noodles
It’s said that university and college students are constructed of magic and rubber – they’re almost impervious to harm. Give them a cup of instant coffee, the off power drink and instant ramen and they’re good to go. That may be so – but continue eating instant ramen as part of your daily diet once you move into the real world and life is suddenly going to get a lot more interesting – and not in a good way.
A packet of ramen can contain nearly 2,000 milligrams (mg) of sodium, which is 500 mg more than the American Heart Association’s daily recommended intake. That boosts blood pressure, which could lead to stroke and heart disease. Additionally, with carbohydrates making up most of the other ingredients, ramen provides almost no nutritional support. You should also check out the amount of fat in ramen noodles. Who knew so many unhealthy things could come in a small innocent looking square!
4. Dried Fruits
Fruits are natural – they’ve got to be good for you – right? Here’s some news, cyanide is natural and you’re not going to be snacking on that anytime soon (we hope). You reach for a handful of raisins or a few pieces of dried mango to satisfy your sweet tooth – however there’s a really good reason they are so satisfying – it’s the sugar. These dried fruits are a better option than candy, since they have a good amount of fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Be careful with the portions, however — even a small portion carries a high-calorie, high-sugar punch – and that can mean weight gain if you’re not careful.
5. Flavored Nuts
Whether they are maple-flavoured, soy sauce- and wasabi-dusted, or coated in toffee, flavoured nuts are packed with extra salt and sugar. This extra salt and sugar can lead to weight gain, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Say no to the nuts.
6. Fruit Snacks
Destroyer of teeth and waistlines, fruit snacks are just that – snacks, in the same way that an order of small fries are a snack. Most varieties are packed with high fructose corn syrup and cane sugar both of which which lead to weight gain, which can increase your risk for diabetes — and contain only a mere hint of actual fruit ingredients.
Their extra sugar and gelatinous ingredients also stick to teeth, providing an ideal environment for bacteria to create cavities – so your smile is also at risk.
7. Margarine
There was a time when margarine was considered the healthy alternative to butter. However research into trans fats made that argument redundant. Trans fats are considered more unhealthy than any other fat, including saturated fats.
Trans fats increase bad cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease and stroke. Although the link between trans fatty acids and cancer is unclear, research by Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests lowering these fats as a part of their dietary recommendations for cancer patients and survivors.
8. Microwave Popcorn
Ah – movies and popcorn on your own best couch. What could be better? There’s nothing wrong with popcorn (as long as you go easy on the salt and butter) and there’s nothing wrong with microwaving food. So what’s the issue with microwave popcorn?
It’s the bag. Perfluoroalkyls are just one class of chemical found in microwave popcorn bags. Studies have linked perfluoroalkyls with health problems as diverse as kidney disease and poor semen quality – something you’re going to regret at some point of your life if you’re most guys.
9. Ketchup (tomato sauce)
While a little dollop of ketchup (or tomato sauce as we know it outside of the United States) is fine, the amounts we squirt onto our burgers, fries and, well everything is problematic, as is the frequency.
The tomatoes in ketchup are so diluted by sugar and salt that they offer no natural value. With most of the calories in ketchup coming from sugar you’re doing your body and your waistline no good whatsoever.
10. Frozen Dinners
Frozen meals are the next best thing to takeaway food: a complete meal of vegetables, entrée, and starch, all on one plate, right out of the microwave – easy peasy – and a boon in this age when many of us come home in the evening too tired to even read the junk mail that has arrived.
However, frozen dinners are often loaded with sugars, fat, and sodium. Those additives can lead to weight and heart problems. They can also raise your blood pressure, putting you at danger for stroke. If you do get frozen meals, focus on organic meals with an ingredient list full of foods you recognize.
All Things in Moderation
Ever since the first person figured out how to air dry or salt meat frozen foods have been part of our lives. They provide convenience and give us access to foods that would otherwise perish.
Moderation is the key – and use your common sense. Check the nutrition labels to avoid anything high in fats, salt, sugars, and chemicals. Be sure to make fresh, simple ingredients the focus of your diet. Where possible – check out that farmers market, it’s well worth the effort.