Okay, so, the holidays came and went, as did the rich and decadent food and drink. Whereas we’re well within our rights to over-indulge, many of us are now ready to throw out the last of the junk, stock up on healthy produce, and get back on track for the New Year in terms of our health and fitness. As far as health and fitness goes, one of the most important things we need to consider is what we’re eating. Whereas a lot of people focus on foods that they should be eating, it’s important to know which foods you shouldn’t be eating as well. Here’s a look at several foods to avoid in 2020.
Pizza
Yes, we know, pizza is like slices of triangle-shaped heaven, but sadly, it’s not good for you at all. You can make healthy pizzas of course, but the pizza you order as part of a takeout is notoriously unhealthy. To begin with, it is made with dough made from heavily processed refined flour. The dough is also often laden with extra oil and sugar. Then there’s the sauce, which again, contains salt, sugar, and oil. To really up the caloric contents, though, the pizza itself is finished off with heaps of cheese, packed full of saturated fat. To make matters worse, most meats used as toppings are also very highly processed.
French fries
French fries are made from potatoes, and whereas some potato products are healthy, French fries most certainly aren’t. French fries are considered to be very bad for you because they’re deep fried in oil, which is usually hydrogenated oil, making it a trans fat. Trans fats increase LDL cholesterol and can block your arteries. Because French fries are cut so thinly, they have an increased surface area and so they absorb even more of the fat they are fried in. As if they weren’t unhealthy enough, they are also then covered in heaps of salt, which can raise your blood pressure and put a strain on your heart.
Sodas
Okay, we know that sugary sodas aren’t a food, but they’re often consumed with junk food, and they’re so unhealthy we’re including them on our list anyways. Sugar sodas are packed full of sugar that can raise your blood glucose levels, put you at risk of diabetes, increase your caloric intakes, and rot your teeth. They also contain artificial chemicals such as colourings and preservatives. Sugar-free sodas are no healthier, as they are sweetened with artificial chemicals which have been linked with a variety of chronic illnesses. To be as healthy as possible, drink fresh mineral water instead.
Ice cream
Ice cream may taste awesome, but it is loaded full of fats, calories, and sugar. Combine these three things together, and you have the recipe for one of the unhealthiest foods in existence. Because ice cream is so sweet and palatable, it’s very easy to consume, and it is very easy to over-consume. One serving will provide several hundred calories, meaning that ice cream is one of the worst foods to consume when trying to lose weight.
