This Expert Is Begging You to Stop Eating These Foods Right Now
We all choose our unhealthy food vices. For me, it's chocolate. But for you, it might be enjoying a crisp soda or eating a fast food meal from time to time. And while we all have our "guilty pleasures," some experts believe that there are food items that just aren't worth the indulgence.
We talked with Courtney D'Angelo, MS, RD, author at Fit Healthy Momma about some of these types of foods, and she gave us her list of the foods she is begging us all to stop eating right now!
Read on to learn which foods she thinks we should skip and why, and for more on how to eat healthy, don't miss 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.
Reduced fat peanut butter
Peanut butter is a great snack to choose for a boost of protein and healthy fat. But according to D'Angelo, choosing a "reduced-fat" option can come with some consequences.
"What happens when brands reduce fat in their peanut butter, is that they have to add other ingredients that are less healthy," says D'Angelo, "for example, sugar or corn syrup may have to be added to compensate for the lack of taste from removing the fat."
And if you're making yourself a delicious and nostalgic peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, you'll definitely want to stay away from the reduced-fat peanut butter option.
"The added sugar from the reduced-fat PB on top of the sugar from the jelly and two slices of bread may equal too many carbohydrates in one sitting, which can result in high blood sugar levels and lead to weight gain," says D'Angelo.
Sugary cereals
Starting your day with sugary cereals is even worse for you than some people may realize.
"The bad news with these cereals is that high sugar intake (especially in the morning) increases the risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic health conditions," says D'Angelo, "and there are actually many breakfast cereals that are higher in sugar than some cookies and desserts."
Potato chips
Potato chips may be delicious, but this snack can rack up way too many fat calories in just one sitting. "Just an ounce of regular potato chips has about 152 calories and 10 grams of fat," says D'Angelo, "which means just a couple of handfuls can get you over the 500 calorie mark."
Fried food
D'Angelo warns that frying your food is one of the unhealthiest cooking methods and should be done in moderation if at all, because these foods "are high in fat, calories, and salt because of the oils used when frying, and many of these oils contain trans fat, which can raise your LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol," says D'Angelo.
She also mentions that although it may not seem like that big of a deal at first, over time higher levels of LDL will "build up in your arteries and has the potential to lead to heart disease, also known as atherosclerosis," says D'Angelo.
Read these next:
