Summertime is in full swing! And chances are high that your
family is indulging in long BBQs and many eat-out sessions, followed by snacks
in front of the TV.
While food is a large part of what makes vacation a time of
fun for all, don't throw all caution to the wind. Take the advice of health
experts and skip the following foods the next time you are loading up your
shopping cart with groceries.
1. Juices and sodas
According to Total
Dentistry of Cincinnati,a dental office in Cincinnati, OH, "[It should
come] as no surprise that soda is loaded with sugar. The public has been
warned for years that drinking pop can lead to cavities and other health
problems. What some people don’t realize is that sodas aren’t the only
beverages laden with sugar. Even supposedly ‘healthy’ drinks can contain
tablespoons of the stuff."
What does this means for your family? Fill those water
bottles up with H2O! You'll end up saving a lot of money, and your children's
teeth and health with be better for it. If you or your kids find it easier to
drink fluids that have taste, create infused
waters with mint or citrus.
2. Processed meats:
hot dogs, ham, and mystery mixes
The World Health Organization wants you to know that
processed meats could amp up your risk of cancer. In a study that included 10
countries with data from 800 studies, the conclusion was that each 50 g serving
increases colon
cancer risk by 18 percent.
Processed meats are foods that -- like their name implies --
are processed. For example, hot dogs, ham, bacon, pepperoni, and sausages.
What your family can eat instead: Chicken cuts on a skewer.
Add a BBQ flavor to them and you get a healthy alternative!
3. Store-bought
pastries
Pastries are sugar and trans-fat time bombs that are waiting
to explode in your arteries. And while they might not cause you immediate
trouble, rest assured, there will be a reckoning heading your way.
Healthline.com provides 11 reasons why
you should avoid the sugar found in pastries. Firstly, sugar increases your
chances of being overweight. It also increases heart disease risk and diabetes
risk. It additionally increases the chance you'll have acne. It wreaks havoc on
your mood, possibly causing depression as well. And that's only the start of
the list.
We are mentioning store-bought pastries here because they
are easy to spot. But they are likely not the only source of sugar in your
life. Trash all those Pop-tarts, HoHos, Twinkies, Snickers, and more. Instead,
to satisfy that sweet tooth, choose fruit and natural sources of sugar.
Or use these dessert
recipes, approved by Mayo Clinic, for a healthier way to sate those
cravings.
4. Boxed cereals
The breakfast staple of the American household is a source
of hidden sugars that are best avoided. And boxed cereals for children often
contain more sugar than the varieties for adults.
The American Heart
Association says the maximum amount of added sugar a day is 25 g a day for
women and 37 g a day for men. Boxed cereals contain as much as 15 g of sugar,
which is more than half the allowed amount for women!
What to serve instead? Oatmeal with a banana as a natural
sweetener. Oats are much cheaper than boxed cereal and many times healthier as
well. Not only does it contain a high amount of fiber that our bodies need. But
it also has minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins aplenty.
Eat
oats in the morning for breakfast, and you get a slow release of energy
that will keep you moving until lunch time comes around.
5. Margarine and
butter
The longtime debate over which is healthier continues to
this day. But both have their faults, so both should be used sparingly, if at
all.
Margarine can raise levels of bad cholesterol in your blood
and lower good cholesterol levels. Butter is high in saturated fat, and too
much saturated fat can lead to heart disease.
Harvard Health Publishing suggests that you use olive oil as
a healthier alternative to either option. Olive oil can be used as a spread on
bread, or even in baking, if done right.
There you have it! Five foods that health experts want you
to avoid and healthy alternatives. With just a couple adjustments to your meal
plans and grocery shopping, you can affect
your family's health for the better!
