Which kind of food is not good for your health?

 

The foods that are not good for health are mostly categorized into two groups, high-sodium foods, and low-sodium foods. Foods like red meats, dairy products, raw fish, etc., are highly affected by sodium, whereas milk and its products are the most affected the other way around. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you are choosing a healthy diet. There is hardly any doubt that the consumption of salt has an adverse effect on your blood pressure, but this is also due to the fact that high salt content has been found to have better cholesterol-lowering properties than low amounts of salt.

How much sodium is added to a normal meal?

A typical day can add up to more than 2,000 milligrams – or almost 1 cup – of salty snacks, including sodas, candy, and ice cream. But for some people, their daily intake may be even higher, possibly exceeding 3,000 grams – 1 cup! In addition to sodium (sodium chloride), there are also added sugars like sucrose and fructose, which account for another half of the total amount of sugar in food.

When it comes to processed foods, though, some additives – such as artificial sweeteners or flavorings – will certainly add up to some portions of the regular snack bag. Even when it comes to fresh fruits and veggies, added sugar may outweigh the number of nutrients it contains per serving. If it is not your intention to add excessive amounts of sugar to your daily eating plan, limit yourself to about 100 grams on average per day at all times. That should keep you within 0.5 to 1 cup of calories. Try not to indulge too much, unless you feel guilty about it. Instead, stick to one main meal per day.

Salt is an essential nutrient that plays an enormous role in maintaining appropriate levels of electrolytes and maintaining fluid balance in our bodies. However, excessive amounts of sodium in foods like packaged soups, drinks, soups, and sauces can lead to high blood pressure, which may trigger hypertension. It is therefore very important that you do not exceed the recommended level of sodium (0.8g/dL) per day unless you have epilepsy. Some foods should never be combined, for example, vegetables and meat together to avoid their combination. This makes it much easier for the gastrointestinal tract to digest and, thus, for the brain to perceive sodium as a threat. You must therefore choose natural meats, poultry, seafood, beans, nuts, or seeds for cooking. Low sodium foods like canned tuna or salmon may contain only trace traces of sodium, so they can still be eaten alongside rice or noodles, pasta or potatoes, and even salad. When buying canned goods, go for those with no added sodium. Always check the label and read the nutrition facts before purchasing. Look for the ingredients like baking soda, rock salt, baking powder, vinegar, and lemon juice. Salt added in such cases is mainly used to preserve certain kinds of foods such as salted eggs or dried apricots.

What are the types of foods that cause high sodium?

High-sodium foods include meats, milk products, canned foods, spicy peppers, cheese, and canned items containing tomatoes, onions, garlic, and some spices. Some examples of high-sodium foods are the following: beef sausage, sausages,  French fries, chips, frozen vegetables, spaghetti sauce, hot dogs, chicken fingers, fried chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans (such as kidney beans), cookies and cakes. These foods are among the foods that are known to contribute to the increasing number of deaths from cardiovascular diseases in adults due to obesity and type II diabetes. One of the major reasons for this is the increased risk of consuming these items. Another key reason for the rise in heart disease is the intake of refined grains, which are the main source of sodium.

What are the foods that are low in sodium?

The list goes something like this. Refined cereals, sugary beverages (such as soft drinks), and canned juices are among the low sodium fruits and veggies. Other low sodium foods include fruits and vegetables that have few levels of added sugars. Vegetables and fruit juices that are normally found in supermarkets and hypermarkets are included here. They, however, are also prone to add up to double the number of calories due to the preservatives present.

What are the foods that are mixed?

When taking it easy and mixing things, one is always tempted to eat what you see in every aisle of the supermarket. Although the options are limited, this is a lot easier said than done. Many of us take it for granted that we have enough time to make a choice, while others don’t realize that one must make a conscious effort to choose wisely. Thus, what we think is the best solution for our needs, is often completely different from what is actually available in front of us. Here are some of the common mixed foods, according to my personal experience.

Baked potato with spinach (or any vegetable or fruit if possible);

Chicken noodle soup;

Cheese and yogurt sandwich;

Junked yams;

Pizza;

Potato casserole;

Pretzel bread;

Soft drink;

Soda popsicle. Make sure that you do not overdo it, otherwise, you will end up with more than you can handle in a single day. I used to use to enjoy all of them; but once I realized how unhealthy, fatty and addictive it was, I gave up quickly. Nowadays, though, I try to skip the pretzels if possible.