Here Are the 5 Foods Health Experts Want Your Family to Avoid - s post

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!