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In today’s health-conscious world, we are more aware than ever of what we put into our bodies. While many foods are famous for their nutritional benefits, there are others that might be best left off your plate. Here, we will explore 10 foods that you might want to think twice about before eating.
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Vegetable Shortening
If you are into baking, you might want to think twice about using vegetable shortening in your pastries and cakes. The problem is that vegetable shortening is made with hydrogenated oils. Eating too much-hydrogenated oil can mess with your cholesterol levels. This can increase your chances of getting heart disease.
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Tilefish
When it comes to fish, it is smart to choose ones with low mercury levels, like salmon and sardines, which are also packed with good omega-3 fatty acids. But you might want to steer clear of tilefish, as they are high in mercury, and too much mercury can be toxic.
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Salami
Salami might be a popular choice for sandwiches, but it is not the healthiest option. It is a cured meat, which means it has been linked to issues like high blood pressure and heart disease. Plus, it is high in saturated fat and contains sodium nitrites, which can lead to inflammation and harm your health.
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Instant Noodles
Here is a tip: if a food has “instant” in its name, it is probably better to skip it. Instant noodles are really high in salt and have something called monosodium glutamate. MSG makes our food taste better, but it can also make you want to eat more and more, leading to overeating.
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Packaged Gelatin
Packaged gelatin desserts might taste good, but they are full of artificial flavors and sugar that are not good for you. They also have artificial colors, which can be carcinogenic, and a chemical called Red #40, which has been linked to hyperactivity. In Europe, foods with Red #40 even come with a warning label about its effects on children’s behavior.
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Packaged Butter-Flavored Popcorn
Butter-flavored popcorn is made with artificial butter flavoring, which can cause inflammation in your body. 6Also, if you are making it in a microwaveable bag at home, those bags have a lot of chemicals in them. A better option is to pop popcorn in a pot on the stove. That way, you can control what goes into it.
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Fruit Juices
Fruit is healthy, so you might think fruit juices are too. But actually, fruit juices have more sugar than eating the fruit itself. Plus, fruit juices do not have the fibers that are good for your gut. You are better off eating the whole fruit if you want the taste, nutrients, and natural sugars.
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Packaged Muffins
While many people try to avoid parabens in skincare and body care products, propyl paraben is an additive used in some foods, like tortillas and muffins. Parabens can disrupt how hormones work in the body. Besides that, these foods often have more sugar, saturated fat, and calories than what you would make at home.
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White Flour-Based Cereal
Yes, cereals taste great, but check if they are made with white flour. These cereals do not have much nutrition and are full of refined carbs, which means they will not keep you full and can cause your blood sugar to go up and down quickly. This can lead to low energy, mood swings, and cravings.
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Low-Fat Peanut Butter
Nut butters are good for you because they have healthy unsaturated fats. But when you remove the fat from peanut butter, you lose some of those heart-healthy fats and might end up with a product that has extra sugar and fillers. When buying peanut butter, a good tip is to choose a natural one.
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