Everyone knows those foods that are healthy and those that are not, right? You would be surprised at which foods, although advertised as the “healthy option”, really are anything but. In fact, some of the worst offenders are filled with ingredients that, on top of being unhealthy, keep those inches on your waistline and won’t let you take off those extra pounds. There are still other foods that, although they actually are healthy, they are simply too dangerous to consider eating. There are probably dozens of foods which would make this list, but let’s take a look at just the top 10 foods that you absolutely must remove them from your diet if you care at all about your health.
20. Microwave Popcorn
Those little bags of popcorn are just so convenient and easy to use; they seem so harmless, don’t they? They are anything but.
First, let’s start with the bag itself, which is lined with a chemical called PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid. Maybe you have heard the warning that your non-stick pots and pans are toxic? Your microwave popcorn is lined with the same toxic non-stick lining. When heated this chemical has been shown to cause cancer and infertility in lab animals.
The popcorn itself doesn’t appear to be GMO but you can’t be sure since there are no labeling requirements. However, there are other ingredients that definitely are such as the oil and the emulsifiers, not to mention that these oils contain huge amounts of trans-fats.
Last is that “butter flavor.” This is made from a chemical called diacetyl, which is so toxic that one brand of popcorn, ACT, actually removed it because it was making their own factory workers seriously ill. This chemical is also listed as a known carcinogen as well.
There is no need to buy microwave popcorn when it is SO easy to make your own at home.
19. Stick Margarine
Although long touted as the healthier alternative to butter, this is another falsehood. Stick margarines contain excessive amounts of trans-fats, the ones that cause damage your blood vessels and arteries, not to mention the calories. Most stick margarines have at least 100 caloriesin one tablespoon!
At one time it was thought that, by avoiding animal fats, margarine was a healthier choice, however, over the years, researchers have discovered that the more natural butter, from organic, grass fed cows of course, is better for your body in the long run rather than subject your body to all the trans-fat, salt, and artificial colors and flavors that margarine has.
Besides tasting great, (nothing like the real thing) butter is a great source of those healthy saturated fats, fat soluble vitamins, and other vitamins. If you are concerned about the calories or salt content, they do sell unsalted butter.
You can also try using whipped butter that is sold in tub containers. Whipped butter has more air, therefore, less fat, and fewer calories.
18. Pancakes from Pancake Mix
Pancakes are such a nice breakfast choice on a Sunday morning.
Americans love their pancakes so much there is even a National Pancake Day! However, you might be surprised by what’s in your boxed pancake mix.
Pancake mix from a box seems harmless enough, so much so that you might not even realize that it contains trans-fats because it’s a powder. However, Bisquick has almost 5 grams of trans-fat in each cup of mix! Also, if you read the label, most pancake mixes contain partially hydrogenated soybean or cottonseed oil. Make that GMO soybean or cottonseed oil.
If you continue reading you will see that it also contains preservatives and salt. Ditch all that artery clogging trans-fat and GMO’s and mix up your own pancakes from scratch.
Cooking from scratch is cheaper and you will know exactly what is in those pancakes you are making for you family. It’s just as easy as the boxed mix and much healthier for you and your family.
17. Anything with artificial sweeteners
Although the media has told you that artificial sweeteners are the wave of the future, the “have your cake and eat it too”, sort of thing, they have lied to you. Artificial sweeteners inhibit your body’s natural ability to know when it has consumed too many calories so you will, more than likely, overeat.
These chemical sweeteners also seem to make your body crave even more sweets! You’ve probably heard that drinking those diet sodas actually make you fatter? Well, it’s actually worse than that. Studies show that drinking diet soda more than doubles your risk for obesity!
There is tons of data that also shows that, for those with diabetes, aspartame actually worsens their insulin sensitivity even more so than sugar does. Not to mention that studies show those who consume large amounts of artificial sweeteners usually have some type of kidney malfunction.
Be smart, avoid this chemical!
16. Tomato Sauce
Tomatoes themselves are very good for you, loaded with vitamin C, iron, and vitamin A. Although it might seem easy to pick up a can or bottle of tomato sauce for your pasta dinner, what’s actually in that container might surprise you.
What else besides tomatoes does tomato sauce have, you might be asking. Great question.
Commercially produced tomato sauce is loaded with refined sugars. Read the label. Some brand of tomato sauce list corn syrup as the second ingredient! More than likely, you already have too much sugar in your diet; surely you don’t need it in your tomato sauce. Many tomato sauces also contain sodium.
Besides the health issues, a bottle of tomato sauce typically runs about 2-4 dollars for 12 ounces. Fresh tomatoes can often be found for a dollar a pound. It’s so easy to make your own, fresh tomato sauce at home!
It’s a healthier, as well as much more inexpensive option to make your own.
Get the full list at Natural On
