To lead a healthy lifestyle, food is a vital component. You need to choose the right food that will be helpful for your body and keep you healthy. A healthy lifestyle does not just mean exercising every day or staying active; it also means easting healthy food. In this article, you will learn about things you should avoid to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Limiting trans fats
In 2015, the FDA began a process to phase out industrially-produced trans fats from the food supply. It gave manufacturers three years to phase out the partially hydrogenated oils from their products. By June 18, 2018, they will be completely banned. Meanwhile, the Westchester County Board of Health has banned the use of trans fats in cooking oil. This move is a step in the right direction for healthy eating in Canada.
Limiting processed foods
There are plenty of diet options that limit or even ban the consumption of processed foods. Many of these foods are blamed for high blood pressure, increased rates of obesity and heart disease, and even diabetes. While this might be true to an extent, you should still limit your intake of these foods for the sake of your health. This way, you will avoid several harmful additives, including those that are known to raise cholesterol.
The first step in limiting your consumption of processed foods is to identify what kinds of foods you eat. Any food with a long ingredient list is probably heavily processed. In general, foods that are mostly made up of chemicals are probably highly processed. While shopping, try to avoid shopping in the center aisles of the supermarket, as these are largely comprised of packaged and ready-made foods. Buy more fresh fruits and vegetables, and choose minimally processed meats.
When looking at the health benefits of processed foods, consider the amount of sugar and salt they contain. High sugar, salt, and other additives may contribute to a person’s weight gain. Also, limit your intake of highly processed and ultra-processed foods, and you’ll notice a significant increase in energy and weight loss. The main reason to limit these foods is that they contain too many unhealthy additives and are often not worth the extra calories they contain.
Avoiding junk food
Although junk food has zero nutritional value, avoiding it isn’t always the best idea. There’s no need to completely forsake the foods you love for your health, as occasional treats are fine. Rather, find ways to make them healthier by adding veggies, lean ground beef, whole wheat buns, or by eating smaller portions. Avoiding it will become second nature in time. Read on for some ways to avoid the temptation to indulge in junk food.
Fast food outlets are now offering more nutritious options, so it’s not necessary to give up fast food altogether. Fast food outlets are often tempted with extras, soft drinks, and upsizing. When you’re at work, pack a lunch rather than buy a takeaway. When you go out to eat, don’t order junk food or consume high-fat varieties. Instead, focus on enjoying the taste instead of the calories and fat.
Limiting sugary drinks
Many jurisdictions have considered implementing a tax on sugary drinks as a way to curb the rising incidence of obesity and overweight. But these proposals have yet to gain traction despite their media exposure. Regardless, the fact remains that the benefits of limiting sugary drinks outweigh the negative impacts of their consumption. A comprehensive approach to making this change a reality must be adopted. Here are some ways to start the process.
First, consider the potential economic and health inequities caused by the high consumption of sugary drinks. Studies indicate that the beverages contribute to obesity and type 2 diabetes. To address the problem, public health organizations are taking action. In New York City, nutrition standards have been implemented, mass media campaigns are used to raise public awareness of their health risks, and policy proposals such as taxing sugary drinks are being considered. According to the latest reports, sugary drinks consumption has decreased by 27% from 2007 to 2013.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Availability (Per Capita) Data System website shows that added sugars account for nearly ten percent of a child’s daily calorie intake. In addition to that, sugary drinks are the leading source of added sugar in the diet of young children and adolescents. Despite their popularity, sugary drinks have little nutritional value and are a major source of added sugar. The sugar content of one 20-oz can of Coca-Cola is 120 percent of the recommended daily value for children. Despite its popularity, Big Soda continues to spend millions on advertising and marketing campaigns. These drinks are especially harmful to children and the poor.