There will always be those fattening foods that are easy to make, easy to get and easy to crave. You think "OK, I know this is bad, but it can't be that bad!" Think again.
These seven foods should be avoided at all costs. Not only will they widen your waistline, but they'll also ruin your health in more ways than one.
1. Doughnuts: It's hard to resist the smell of a Krispy Kreme doughnut, which is why I never set foot in the store. Doughnuts are fried and full of sugar,white flour and loads of trans fat.
According to the Krispy Kreme Web site, an original glazed doughnut weighs in at 200 calories and contains few other nutrients besides fat (12 grams). The glazed, "kreme-filled" doughnut is even worse: 340 calories and 20 grams of fat. These sweet treats may satisfy your craving, but they won't satisfy your hunger as most of the calories come from fat.
"Eating a lot of refined sugar contributes to blood sugar 'swings' or extreme fluctuations," Nutritionist Susan Burke says.
2. Cheeseburger: The age-old classic may be delicious, but think twice before sinking your teeth into that Whopper. The saturated fat found in cheeseburgers has been linked to heart attacks, strokes and some types of cancer.
Let's break down this meal. First, take the white-flour bun (refined carbohydrates), then add some processed cheese (saturated fat and trans fat, plus lots of additives and preservatives) and then top off with fried red meat (cholesterol and saturated fats). And let's not forget about the condiments, such as the always fattening mayonnaise.
Not sounding so appetizing anymore, huh? Oh, let's not forget about the infamous side dish. Your cheeseburger will most likely come with a side of fries, which is sadly the most popular vegetable dish in the U.S. Don't kid yourself: French fries are not vegetables -- they're extremely high in fat and contain a tiny amount of nutrients.
"This fast-food meal of cheeseburger and fries has way too many calories and fat grams, not to mention grams of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol and sodium," says Burke.
3. Fried Chicken: Foods cooked in highly heated oils (most notably, partially hydrogenated oil) have been known to
cause cancer, weight gain and other serious health risks if consumed regularly. Fried chicken (and their nugget counterparts) are some unhealthy examples.
A 10-piece chicken nuggets order from McDonald's has 460 calories, 29 grams of fat and 1000 milligrams of sodium. One chicken breast (extra crispy) from Kentucky Fried Chicken has around 490 calories, 31 grams of fat and 7 grams of saturated fat. So unless you want to super size yourself, it's best to make a clean break with fried foods.
4. Oscar Mayer's Lunchables: Sure, they're convenient and easy , but they're also unhealthy! These kid-marketed lunches are loaded with saturated fat and sodium. They usually contain highly processed meats and cheeses, white flour crackers and sugary treats.
Lunchables get around two-thirds of their calories from fat and sugar, and they provide lopsided nutrition since they contain no fruits or vegetables.
"They insidiously promote obesity by making kids think that lunch normally comes in a cellophane-wrapped box," Burke says. "Parents are promoting their children's obesity by buying these items. They're expensive, too. Pack a sandwich and save dollars and health."
5. Sugary Cereals: Not all cereals are created equal. And while your kids might beg for the latest cookie or chocolate cereals, it's a safe bet
they're about as healthy as a dessert. Key words to look out for are "puffed," "dyed" and "sweetened."
Most kids' cereals are so highly processed, they no longer look like the grains they were originally made from.
A healthy alternative is oatmeal. Just remember that if you're buying pre-packaged oatmeal, check the label and see how much sugar it contains -- you might be surprised.
"A little sugar isn't a problem but when the first ingredient on the box is sugar, watch out," she said. "There is no fruit in Froot Loops, but the unsweetened original Cheerios or Rice Krispies are fine. You can sweeten them naturally with blueberries and strawberries."
6. Processed Meats: What falls under the category of processed meats? Hot dogs, sausage, jerky, bacon, certain lunch meats and meats used in canned soup products. Almost all processed meats have sodium nitrite added as a preservative.
A study conducted at the University of Hawaii found that sodium nitrite can act as "a precursor to highly carcinogenic nitrosamines --
potent cancer-causing chemicals that accelerate the formation and growth of cancer cells throughout the body."
The next time you're shopping for groceries, check food labels before sticking anything into your cart. Eliminate these meats from your diet before they eliminate you!
7. Canned Soups: Sometimes regarded as a healthy food, soups can be very deceiving. You must stay on your guard because
many canned soups have high levels of trans fats, sodium and artificial preservatives such as MSG. Just one serving (which is roughly one cup) can have almost 1,000 milligrams of salt! Also, steer clear of soups that are cream-based; they can be high in calories and fat.
"Read labels from back to front," says Burke. "Ignore the health claims, and instead focus on the ingredients and serving size.
Watch out for hydrogenated fat (trans fat) and sodium. If you're buying bread to go with you soup, the first ingredient should be whole grain -- either whole wheat, rye or other grain. If it just says 'wheat bread,' that doesn't mean whole wheat."
By eDiets.com
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